Apollo v Artemis: How the Earth changed in 58 years
BBC • • general
Key Points:
- The iconic Earthrise photo taken by Apollo 8 astronauts in 1968 revealed Earth's vibrant colors against the desolate lunar surface, inspiring the environmental movement and the creation of Earth Day in 1970.
- Fifty-eight years later, Artemis II astronauts captured a new "Earthset" image during their lunar flyby, highlighting ongoing changes to Earth's surface due to climate change and human activity.
- Experts note significant environmental changes since 1968, including rising atmospheric CO2 levels, global warming, shrinking ice shelves in Antarctica, and altered snow and sea ice patterns, largely attributed to human influence.
- Unlike automated satellite imagery, photos taken by astronauts provide a unique human perspective that evokes emotional connections to our planet and underscores its fragility.
- The legacy of Apollo 8 continues to inspire environmental awareness, reminding humanity of the importance of protecting Earth as seen from the vantage point of the Moon.
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