My 14-year-old daughter is an aspiring photographer, and she was initially hooked by taking pictures of clouds. Well, Camille Seaman takes this type of photography to a whole new level. She was highlighted in a CNN feature, which is truly awe-inspiring. Here is just a sample:
Many of my friends and colleagues in the space industry have complained that since the heyday of Apollo NASA has suffered from twin ailments: (1) lack of vision and leadership; and (2) lack of connection with the public.
Well, last week the outgoing Canadian commander of the International Space Station, Chris Hadfield, released a video that in 5 minutes created more public support for human space exploration than decades of effort by NASA's PR machine. This was the first music video shot in space. With over 13M views on YouTube, here is his rendition of David Bowie's Space Oddity:
Some of you may already be familiar with the "Overview Effect", which is "a cognitive shift in awareness reported by some astronauts and cosmonauts during spaceflight, often while viewing the Earth from orbit or from the lunar surface." It has been nurtured and promoted by The Overview Institute. Many astronauts, space enthusiasts, sociologists, and even politicians have espoused its virtues.
The video below is a terrific introduction to the power of this effect, in the words of astronauts who have actually experienced it firsthand.
