Click here for a larger view Photo courtesy of NASA.
At first glance, today’s picture might seem rather blah and uninteresting, but in reality it is really something quite special. Why? Because this is the view we would enjoy if we were to gaze up into the heavens from the surface of planet Mercury instead of our Earth. The robotic spacecraft Messenger captured this image about three months ago while looking back towards the Earth and Moon, and it shouldn’t be all that difficult to find those familiar bodies in the picture.
Thanks to our ever-growing fleet of robotic explorers, we can not only ”see” farther (and more clearly) into the vastness of space than ever before, we can also see our own neck of the celestial “woods” from vantage points that could only have existed in our imaginations just a few short years ago.
Mr. Rouse, you have featured some truly magnificent images of our universe here on TodaysPhoto.org, but I must agree that this one really is something special. It’s simply incredible that we can now enjoy a view of our home planet from the proximity of some other heavenly body! You have NO IDEA how much I love this website and appreciate your dedication in bringing us such amazing images day in and day out. THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rick, I must admit that I was a bit underwhelmed when I first saw today’s picture, but after I finally realized just exactly what I was looking at I just sat here in amazement for several minutes before I could even respond. This is definitely one of the most awesome photos I have ever seen. Not because it’s beautiful, but because it is so thought-provoking. This image is the epitome of decades of science fiction scenarios dreamed up by starry-eyed kids and adults the world over, and fodder for the imaginations of new generations still to come. Great, great find!!!!!
Absolutely incredible.
And they say our NASA budget is wasted… Well I for one vehemently disagree.
How amazing it is to be able to see our own planet and moon from another planet. Our ancestors wouldn’t know what to think.
Ah, the wonders of God’s creations. Great photo Rick.
Awesome indeed. I remember looking up at the night sky as a child and dreaming about traveling the universe and seeing strange new worlds whiz past the window of my spaceship. It never once occurred to me that to someone on another planet the EARTH would be “a strange new world”. This pic is AMAZING!!
Stellar!
NASA has been such a force for good in our nation’s history, but now they have become so political that it’s really hard to “root” for them any more. I hope they’ll eventually get back out of politics and stick to doing what they do best which is explore the universe while feeding our minds and imaginations.
Well said Kim. And I couldn’t agree more. Great pic by the way!!
Yep, this shot is something else indeed, as is the narrative. Great job Rick.
That’s awesome!
Amazing!!!!!!
Wow, from that perspective it looks almost like the earth and moon are touching one another. What an awesome image this is Mr. Rouse. Thanks for finding it and sharing it with us.
Amazing shot, I found myself staring at it for ages,It really does make you feel very small.