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People think they're experiencing 'transformative effect' just from watching a video of an astronaut in space

Home> News> Science

Published 16:55 11 Jul 2024 GMT+1

People think they're experiencing 'transformative effect' just from watching a video of an astronaut in space

Take a look at this extraordinary footage of NASA space cadets Peggy Whitson and Shane Kimbrough and see how you feel

Olivia Burke

Olivia Burke

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If you've ever fancied yourself as an astronaut but can't be bothered to go through all the rigmarole, watching this video might satisfy your outer space obsession instead.

But be warned - if you're wary of experiencing the 'transformative effect' that cosmonauts often report after looking down at our little old planet from all the way up above, you might not want to feast your eyes on it for too long.

It's the closest that most of us are ever going to get to an extraordinary aerial perspective of the Earth - unless your a US citizen, have a masters degree in a STEM field as well as three years experience in a related profession.

Oh...and then, you have just got to successfully complete the NASA long-duration flight astronaut physical. Then you are good to go to become an astronaut.

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So for those of us who have no intention of ever clamouring onboard a rocket, this is the best it's going to get really.

Take a look here:

Now, how do you feel? Inspired, perhaps? Awe-struck, maybe?

That's how a host of viewers claimed to feel after watching the eerily quiet footage of former NASA astronauts Peggy Whitson and Shane Kimbrough heading on a spacewalk while way up above on the International Space Station (ISS).

The pair had to exit the 'safety' of their home away from home in order to conduct some exterior repairs, reconnect cables and restore electrical connections on 30 March, 2017.

And although this mission to mend all the ISS' issues was thrilling to watch, people were a lot more preoccupied with the phenomenal view of the Earth underneath them.

Which is hardly surprising, seen as though there is even a term to describe the impact which witnessing this has on astronauts - the 'overview effect'.

Tons of space travellers have described feeling a 'cognitive shift' - or something of an epiphany - while glaring out of the window of the ISS or venturing out on a spacewalk.

The footage of the astronauts' spacewalk might leave you feeling quite emotional (YouTube/Beautiful Existence/NASA)
The footage of the astronauts' spacewalk might leave you feeling quite emotional (YouTube/Beautiful Existence/NASA)

According to King's College London, this phenomenon may trigger 'unexpected emotions, an overwhelming sense of beauty, and an increased feeling of connection to other people and the Earth as a whole'.

Ex-NASA space cadet Ron Garan, 62, told how it made him realise that us Earthlings are 'living a lie', while astronaut Michael Collins who flew Apollo 11 said he was stunned at how 'fragile' and 'tiny' the world looked.

Apollo 14's Edgar Mitchell said the experience gave him an 'explosion of awareness' - and Whitson, who has spent more time in space than any other American, felt something similar herself.

The former Chief Astronaut, who now works for Axiom Space, floated around the solar system for a whopping 675 days.

Whitson, 64, revealed she was left stunned when she experienced the overview effect on her first space flight.

She told Space.com: "In my first flight, I think what really surprised me is just how thin the atmosphere is.

"It looks very delicate, and I came away from my first flight with this new appreciation of how we're all sharing the same air, we're all sharing the same planet, and we need to take care of it.

"There was definitely a new appreciation for what our planet does for us."

Viewers reckon they have been able to experience the overview effect for themselves thanks to the clip (YouTube/Beautiful Existence/NASA)
Viewers reckon they have been able to experience the overview effect for themselves thanks to the clip (YouTube/Beautiful Existence/NASA)

So by watching the 'both beautiful and horrifying' footage of one of her spacewalks with Kimbrough, 57, you can somewhat recreate this kind of sudden awakening for yourself too.

Viewers reckon it works a treat - and said they were left stunned by the 'sheer vastness of space'.

One said: "Everyone talking about how scary this is and how they wouldn’t do it. I would do this in a heart beat. This is seriously one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen."

Another wrote: "Just looking up in that void is actually terrifying. Like, its nothing but void, but seeing earth from that view is absolutely terrifying and amazing at the same time."

A third added: "Man imagine going to space that will be the greatest satisfaction ever, no amount of money, social status could ever top that, your view of life will be probably be incredibly different."

A fourth commented: "This really humbles you. Everything that has ever existed and currently exists, the good, the bad, the ugly, for generations, all on that spinning rock that is our entire reality."

While a fifth chimed in: "It's even more unimaginable when we realise that we are just apes with clothes. A few thousand years ago we were running through forests killing animals to eat. Look at how far we've come!"

Featured Image Credit: YouTube/Beautiful Existence/NASA

Topics: Space, Science, Weird, NASA

Olivia Burke
Olivia Burke

Olivia is a journalist at LADbible Group with more than five years of experience and has worked for a number of top publishers, including News UK. She also enjoys writing food reviews (as well as the eating part). She is a stereotypical reality TV addict, but still finds time for a serious documentary.

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@livburke_

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