This view of the rising Earth greeted the Apollo 8 astronauts as they came from behind the Moon after the fourth nearside orbit. Earth is about five degrees above the horizon in the photo. The unnamed surface features in the foreground are near the easter. Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons @Apollo 8 crewmember Bill Anders
The iconic "Earthrise" photo, taken by the Apollo 8 astronauts as they orbited the Moon, provided a new perspective on our planet. This image of Earth, a fragile blue sphere suspended in the vastness of space, spurred environmental awareness and became a symbol for the burgeoning environmental movement. It helped people realize the vulnerability of our planet and the importance of protecting it.
