The NASA 'Hello World' photo shows an Earth interconnected with the cosmos

Apollo 8, Apollo 17 and Voyager 1 all took iconic photos of Earth from outside: Earthrise, Blue Marble and Pale Blue Dot. They inspired and motivated the environmental movement of the 1960s and 70s. 

But these images alone have not led to political action which ensures the protection of Earth’s environment. It takes more than a photograph to change the course of a capitalist system which views planets as resources to be extracted and sold.

Now we have a new image of Earth from outside taken by Artemis II commander Reid Wiseman, dubbed 'Hello World'. It's a blue, fragile, Spaceship Earth - our only home, floating alone in a sea of darkness. Is it that different to the Blue Marble? 

But it does show something new: northern and southern auroras, the thin greenish tinge over the poles, and zodiacal light on the lower side, illuminated by the Sun. 

Hello World. Credit: NASA

Aurora are caused by cosmic rays – high energy particles from the Milky Way, other galaxies beyond, and our sun - travelling through the atmosphere to create the visual phenomenon that has such a magical effect. 

Zodiacal light is the reflection of the sun’s rays through interplanetary dust created by comets and collisions between asteroids. It’s sometimes called the ‘false dawn’ because you see it before sunrise. It can also be seen from the surface of the Moon. 

What does this mean? Instead of the isolated Spaceship Earth, the Artemis II image shows Earth interconnected with the solar system and galaxy. We're part of something bigger than planetary boundaries.

We have a responsibility to the space environment that we’re part of – including the Moon.