The best photos of Earth taken from space | Chris Hadfield | Big Think

TL;DR

Astronaut shares the beauty and privilege of looking out the window in space; highlights the importance and art of photography.

Transcript

Life on board a spaceship is so busy. People just don’t know. Mission Control schedules your time, there’s this line moving across your computer screen that shows what you’re doing every five minutes for your entire six months on a spaceship. So it is a dictated and controlled environment up there, and nowhere does it ever say, “Go look out the win... Read More

Key Insights

• 💅 Life on board a spaceship is highly scheduled and controlled, but astronauts still find moments to appreciate the beauty of Earth.
• 👨‍🚀 Astronauts receive extensive training in photography to become capable of capturing the world from space.
• 👾 Photography in space offers a unique perspective, showcasing the world's landscapes, weather patterns, and geographical features.
• 🛩️ Thousands of pictures are taken during space flights, but only a small fraction captures the essence of the world.
• 👋 The book "You Are Here: Around the World in 92 Minutes" curates the best pictures taken by the astronaut and offers viewers a selection that tells the story of the world.
• 👾 Looking out the window in space evokes feelings of privilege, awe, and wonder.
• 😥 The world is a generous photography subject, and the unique vantage point of space allows for captivating and artistic compositions.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the significance of looking out the window from a spaceship?

Looking out the window in space offers the opportunity to witness the raw and constantly changing beauty of Earth, learn about the world's history, and feel a sense of awe and privilege.

Q: How did the astronaut prepare for photography in space?

The astronaut received training from photographers to become proficient with various types of cameras, including film cameras and IMAX cameras, ensuring technical and artistic competence.

Q: How many pictures did the astronaut take during their space flights?

The astronaut captured approximately 45,000 pictures during their three space flights, but selected only 150 of the best ones to showcase the story of the world.

Q: What was the motivation behind creating the book "You Are Here: Around the World in 92 Minutes"?

The astronaut wanted to share the best pictures that captured the unique perspective of Earth from space and offer viewers a glimpse of what the world truly looks like from above.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Life on a spaceship is busy and controlled, but astronauts steal moments to look out the window and appreciate the constantly changing beauty of Earth.

• Astronauts undergo extensive training in photography to capture the world from a unique perspective, using various cameras and techniques.

• The astronaut took approximately 45,000 pictures during three space flights and carefully selected 150 of the best ones to showcase the story of the world in his book "You Are Here: Around the World in 92 Minutes."