The Overview Effect: Astronaut Perspectives from 25 Years in Low Earth Orbit

To see Earth from space is to be forever changed by the view. Since Alan Shepard became the first American to lay eyes on our planet from above, countless NASA astronauts have described being awed by the astonishing sight and the profound shift in perspective that followed.

This unique experience is known as the overview effect – a term coined in 1987 by space philosopher and author Frank White in a book of the same name. The phenomenon is creating profound changes in the way astronauts perceive Earth and life and may be particularly significant for those who have lived and worked aboard the International Space Station during its 25 years of continuous human presence. The dome module of the orbiting laboratory, equipped with seven windows overlooking Earth, offers an ideal place for observation and reflection.

As Artemis II mission specialist Christina Koch explains:

“The overview effect happens when you look through the dome and you see the Earth as it exists with the entire universe in the background. You see the thin blue line of the atmosphere and then when you are on the dark side of the Earth you actually see this very thin green line that shows you where the atmosphere is. What you realize is that every person you know is supported and inside that green line and everything else outside is completely inhospitable. You don’t see boundaries, you don’t see religious lines, you don’t see political boundaries. All you see is Earth and you see that we are much more alike than different.

Koch’s crewmate on Artemis II, NASA astronaut Victor Glover, said the power of the overall effect is closely related to the “sea level effect” — humanity’s shared experience on Earth. “You go back to sea level, and then you have a choice,” he explained. “Are you going to try to live your life a little differently? Are you really going to choose to be a member of this earthly community?”

Many astronauts emphasize the importance of unity after experiencing the overview effect. “You see it’s a single planet with a common atmosphere. It’s our common place in this universe,” said former NASA astronaut Bob Behnken. “I think from that perspective, as we go through things like the pandemic or as we see the challenges across our country or across the world, we recognize that we’re all facing it together.”

Seeing Earth from space can also change their design of home. Former NASA astronaut Nicole Stott remembers wanting to visit her home state of Florida during her first mission to the International Space Station. “Finally, we were flying over Florida. I wanted to go to the window and see it, and then I realized at some point I didn’t look at Florida the same way anymore,” she said. “I always wanted to see Florida, but Florida had just become this special part of our home, which is Earth. We’re all Earthlings.”

For some astronauts, this change in perspective has inspired them to make changes on the ground. “I think if you’re not an environmentalist before you go into space, you are at least partly environmentalist when you get back. Because when you see how thin this atmosphere is, this protective layer that we have here, you think, wow, we really need to take care of this because it looks so fragile from space,” said retired NASA astronaut Mike Foreman.

Others hope to share the overall effect with more people. “That perspective helps you grow. It really inspired me to try to bring this experience to more people and put a permanent foot in the stars for our species,” said former NASA astronaut Jack Fischer. “I want to do everything I can to help the human species, humanity as a whole, to go further, to grow and evolve as I know it is capable of.”

Future orbiting laboratory crews can expect a similar experience. “In that moment, when you are overwhelmed by this view, when your eyes see only the beauty of Earth – every member of the crew I brought [the cupola] for this exhibit, I cried,” said retired NASA astronaut TJ Creamer. “It’s a favorite. It’s upsetting. It’s breathtaking.

For more astronaut perspectives from the International Space Station, watch “Down to Earth” on NASA+.