EARTH · 1992-11-01
Sunrise, Earth Limb
Seen edge-on from orbit, Earth’s atmosphere becomes a thin luminous boundary rather than an invisible volume.
What to observe
- Follow the narrow band between the dark foreground and space.
- Compare the band’s thickness with the curve of the horizon.
Explanation
A Space Shuttle photograph records sunrise along Earth’s limb. Looking through the atmosphere sideways lengthens the path of light through its layers, making the boundary visible.
Color method
This is a visible-light photograph; scattering and the long viewing path through the atmosphere shape the color near the limb.
Why it matters
A change in viewpoint can reveal a structure that is difficult to perceive from inside it.
Sources and credits
Asset credit: JSC