The Pale Blue Dot
The science of astronomy tells us about our amazing universe.
It also gives a unique perspective on our own world and our own lives.
This is encapsulated in a single image, the Pale Blue Dot.
The Pale Blue Dot: NASA
Voyager
The two Voyager spacecraft left Earth in 1977, bound for the outer planets.
Voyager: NASA
Early in the mission, Voyager 1 sent back an amazing image of our Earth and Moon.
It was the forerunner of the Pale Blue Dot.
Earth and Moon, Voyager 1: NASA
The Voyagers sent back our first clear images of Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune.
We also saw some of their remarkable moons.
The spacecraft left the realm of the planets, speeding away at 40,000 mph.
Then came Carl Sagan’s idea. It resulted in the Pale Blue Dot.
Carl Sagan
Carl Sagan was an American astronomer and science communicator.
He wrote and presented the 1980s TV series Cosmos.
Cosmos has been seen by 500 million viwers across the world.
He also assembled the recordings carried on Voyager’s Golden Record.
Carl Sagan, 1934 – 1996
Voyager 1 passed Saturn in 1980.
Sagan suggested that it could turn its camera back toward Earth.
It would give a unique view of our planet.
NASA scientists were afraid that the camera would accidentally catch the Sun and be damaged.
Sagan’s idea was rejected.
But in 1989 NASA relented.
Voyager 1 would turn its cameras to look back at the Solar System.
The Images
In 1990, Voyager 1 was 4 billion miles from Earth.
It took a series of images looking back toward us.
Our first image from Voyager 1 shows the Sun as a white, flared disc.
Venus and Earth are light trails to the left.
Sun, Venus, Earth from Voyager 1: NASA
Voyager went on to image more planets.
It produced a family portrait of our Solar System seen from afar.
Solar System family, Voyager 1: NASA
These are the first ever images of the planets taken from betyond their orbits.
Earth: the pale blue dot
Carl Sagan focussed our attention on Voyager’s image of our home planet.
Earth from 4 billion miles, Voyager 1: JPL/NASA
Sagan wrote a book, The Pale Blue Dot, published in 1994.
He said about the image:
From this distant vantage point, the Earth might not seem of any particular interest.
But for us, it’s different. Consider again that dot. That’ s here. That’s home. That’s us.
Sagan wrote more and I hope that you will see and listen to his message in just a moment.
The Youtube video brings home the significance of the famous image.
It is a joy to listen to Carl Sagan’s voice.
But it is a message full of emotion.
Sagan’s words bring tears to my eyes whenever I listen.
It is a message that every politician, every world leader, every religious activist should listen to.
It is a message that everyone should hear.
Listen now, please. Simply click this image of the Pale Blue Dot:
The author: Dennis Ashton is a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society and a Wonderdome presenter.
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