Title: Planet Earth Blue Marble
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The term “Blue Marble” is often associated with a famous photograph of the Earth taken during the Apollo 17 mission to the Moon in 1972. The photograph, officially titled “AS17-148-22727,” is one of the most iconic images of our planet and is commonly referred to as the “Blue Marble” due to the Earth’s vibrant blue appearance against the darkness of space.

Here are key details about the Blue Marble photograph:

  1. Mission:
    • The Blue Marble image was captured by the crew of Apollo 17, the final mission of NASA’s Apollo program, which aimed to explore the Moon.
  2. Date and Time:
    • The photograph was taken on December 7, 1972, as the Apollo 17 spacecraft was traveling to the Moon. The image was captured when the spacecraft was about 29,000 kilometers (18,000 miles) away from Earth.
  3. Crew Members:
    • The Apollo 17 crew members responsible for the Blue Marble photograph were astronauts Eugene Cernan, Ronald Evans, and Harrison Schmitt.
  4. Camera Used:
    • The photograph was taken with a Hasselblad camera equipped with a 70mm Zeiss lens. The camera was mounted in the Command Module’s rendezvous window.
  5. Impact and Symbolism:
    • The Blue Marble image quickly became an iconic symbol of Earth and is often cited as one of the most widely distributed photographs in human history. It symbolizes the fragility and beauty of our planet as seen from the vantage point of outer space.
  6. Subsequent Images:
    • Subsequent space missions, including satellite missions and space probes, have captured other versions of the Blue Marble, offering different perspectives and higher resolutions.
  7. Environmental Awareness:
    • The Blue Marble photograph played a role in raising awareness about environmental conservation and the interconnectedness of Earth’s ecosystems. It became a symbol for the environmental movement.
  8. Recreations and Homages:
    • Over the years, there have been numerous recreations and homages to the Blue Marble image, with astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) and various space probes capturing Earth’s beauty from different angles.

The Blue Marble photograph is a powerful reminder of the uniqueness and preciousness of our planet within the vastness of space. Its enduring impact continues to resonate, and it remains an inspirational symbol for Earth and its environment.