A VR View From Space Could Change the World
By: Becca Caddy
Tags: Earth, NASA, Space, Virtual Reality, Science And Medicine

“When viewing Earth from space, astronauts talk about awe and wonder at both the beauty of Earth and the vastness of space stretching out in all directions,” says David Yaden, a researcher specializing in awe and the overview effect at the University of Pennsylvania.

The overview effect was coined by author and space philosopher Frank White in his 1987 book of the same name. Although it has affected astronauts in different ways, they are united in their descriptions of an extremely powerful encounter. “It’s hard to explain how amazing and magical this experience is,” says NASA shuttle astronaut Kathryn D. Sullivan, as quoted in On Orbit and Beyond. “First of all, there’s the astounding beauty and diversity of the planet itself, scrolling across your view at what appears to be a smooth, stately pace… I’m happy to report that no amount of prior study or training can fully prepare anybody for the awe and wonder this inspires.”

While the overview effect has been recounted by astronauts for decades and is the topic of documentaries, novels, and even an upcoming film festival, there’s been little research into how it works. Yaden explains we can learn from similar psychological constructs, like awe and self-transcendence. One 2015 study found that people were more likely to be generous and endorse ethical decisions after experiencing awe. This is attributed to the “small self,” a shift in perception that broadens your perspective to include entities vaster than you.

Researchers believe the overview effect works in a similar way. “There’s an identification with all of humanity and an impulse to do more to protect the Earth’s ecosystems and to raise awareness about the environment,” Yaden says.

This is evident in the way astronauts describe how Earth looks. “The Earth is like a vibrant living thing,” says Chinese astronaut Yang Liu, as quoted in Yaden’s research. “The vessels we’ve clearly seen on it looked like the blood and veins of human beings. I said to myself: This is the place we live. It’s really magical.”

Others speak about the realization that Earth is more peaceful when divisions are no longer visible. “You don’t see the barriers of color and religion and politics that divide this world,” recalled NASA astronaut Gene Cernan in White’s book. The potential for the overview effect to make us feel more connected to the Earth is important. “Many believe this shift in perspective could be the key to finding a solution to a lot of global challenges,” says Katerina Stepanova, a cognitive scientist and researcher specializing in using VR for transformative experiences at Simon Fraser University in British Columbia.

The overview effect is brought up regularly in relation to addressing environmental concerns, and a 2019 study also suggested it could help resolve disputes between divided communities. In a 2009 interview with NASA, Apollo 11 command module pilot Michael Collins said, “I really believe that if the political leaders of the world could see their planet from a distance of 100,000 miles, their outlook could be fundamentally changed.”