Even if the space program — from the moon landings to the ISS — had never made any other scientific discoveries or collateral technological advances — it would all have been worth it for the beauty and perspective they have provided on our life on Earth. E.g.,
A time-lapse taken from the front of the International Space Station as it orbits our planet at night. This movie begins over the Pacific Ocean and continues over North and South America before entering daylight near Antarctica. Visible cities, countries and landmarks include (in order) Vancouver Island, Victoria, Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles. Phoenix. Multiple cities in Texas, New Mexico and Mexico. Mexico City, the Gulf of Mexico, the Yucatan Peninsula, El Salvador, Lightning in the Pacific Ocean, Guatemala, Panama, Columbia, Ecuador, Peru, Chile, Lake Titicaca, and the Amazon. Also visible is the earths ionosphere (thin yellow line), a satellite (55sec) and the stars of our galaxy.
Smooth Version;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdDEpC0uHWI25fps Version
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcVVOnHfN1I&feature=relatedRaw data was downloaded from;
The Gateway To Astronaut Photography of Earth
“http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov/sseop/mrf.htm “.Virtualdub was used to create the final movie.
An amazing universe, ennit?
(via BoingBoing)
Loved the lightening flashes. Actually the piece looks like the early days of earth, with the lights of cities looking like lava breaks in the earth’s crust from the volcanoes, etc.
It is, indeed.