Space & Astronomy

Curiosity photographs Earth from Mars

By T.K. Randall
February 8, 2014 ·  25 comments

The pale blue dot as seen from Mars. Image Credit: NASA From Mars, our vibrant world of blue and green is reduced to little more than a spec in the sky, barely distinguishable from the stars. Curiosity took the poignant image during its 529th day exploring the Red Planet. "Look back in wonder," it Tweeted. "My 1st picture of Earth from the surface of Mars."The photograph echoes the famous "pale blue dot" image taken of Earth by the Voyager 1 spacecraft back in 1990. The probe had completed its primary objectives and was on its way towards the edge of the solar system when legendary astrophysicist Carl Sagan requested that it be turned around to take a picture of our home planet from across a vast expanse of space.

"It has been said that astronomy is a humbling and character-building experience," he wrote. "There is perhaps no better demonstration of the folly of human conceits than this distant image of our tiny world. To me, it underscores our responsibility to deal more kindly with one another, and to preserve and cherish the pale blue dot, the only home we've ever known."

Source: Independent | Comments (25)

Tags: Curiosity, Mars