EARTHLIGHT
OUR PLANETARY SIGNATURE
EARTHLIGHT is Earth's unique luminous signature that makes all life possible.
Understanding it inspires and equips us to become more effective stewards of our home planet.
DR. SIAN “LEO” PROCTOR
Visionary EARTHLIGHT Pioneer
EarthLight: The Power of EarthLight and the Human Perspective by Dr. Sian Proctor offers a such a special perspective on our planet that it can only be gained by leaving the Earth behind. As a geoscientist, poet, and artist, Dr. Proctor does exactly that, bringing a multifaceted approach to appreciating an unexpected wonder of Earth and the nature of light and color itself from the extraordinary vantage point of space.
“Wow, I am being bathed in EarthLight!”
It was this view that allowed Dr. Proctor to have a nearly-full torso exposure to the marvel of space and to behold the Earth from space from within the sanctity and security of their own Dragon spaceship. It was a singular viewing experience that remains unique to every astronaut who has ever been to space. It was this experience that would enable Dr. Sian Proctor to see and take in the light that is reflected from the Earth and that is when she noticed she was being bathed in EarthLight.
To learn more about Dr. Sian Proctor and her journey as the first artist selected to go to space, check out her website.
EARTHLIGHT
EXPLAINED
Earthlight is Earth's unique cosmic fingerprint; a distinctive luminous signature visible from space. It's the result of our atmosphere's intricate dance with sunlight, transforming harsh solar radiation into the gentle, life-sustaining light that bathes our world. This phenomenon is not only beautiful; it's fundamental to human existence and all life on Earth.
The Earth acts as a prism that transforms harsh sunlight into life-giving Earthlight. Our atmosphere scatters this light to create the blue skies and vivid colors that paint our world. Earthlight defines the very conditions that make human life possible. Remarkably, this same Earthlight energy emits out into space, to the extent that astronauts can actually feel it when facing the Earth in orbit.
Understanding Earthlight offers a new path to deepen our relationship with our home planet. It reveals the intricate ways our world nurtures and sustains us, fostering a profound sense of connection. This awareness empowers us to become more effective stewards of Earth, guiding us to make choices that preserve and protect the delicate balance that makes life as we know it possible.
Discover EarthLight For Yourself!
The central theme of Dr Proctor’s book, EarthLight, revolves around the concept of Earthlight — transformed sunlight being reflected back to space from our planet’s surface — and her introduction of Earthlight as a phenomena worthy of attention beyond beauty and grandeur.
What more, Dr. Proctor’s journey, from dreaming about space and studying Earth’s geology on the ground to observing the planet from orbit and her notable encounter with Earthlight, provides a compelling narrative thread throughout the work. In the early chapters, Dr. Proctor engagingly explains the physics of Earthlight, Moonlight, and Sunlight, laying a solid foundation for readers to understand these celestial interactions. Her background as a geology professor and geoscientist shines through as she connects these cosmic phenomena to the very rocks, landscapes, and bioscapes she herself studied on terra firma.
This grounding in Earth sciences gives her space-based observations considerable added depth and context. As such, EarthLight serves as both a scientific tool and a profound discovery for our human relationship with Earth. The heart of the book, however, centers around Dr. Proctor’s personal transformation upon beholding the Earth in space from space.
EarthLight & The Overview Effect!
As a member of 2021’s all-civilian Inspiration4 mission, and the first woman commercial spaceship pilot, she experienced firsthand the Overview Effect — a cognitive shift reported by many astronauts upon seeing Earth as a whole. Dr. Proctor’s vivid description of being “bathed in Earthlight” while floating in the Dragon capsule’s cupola is both poetic and profound. She articulates how this experience changed her perception not just of Earth as a planet, but of humanity’s place within the larger cosmic context.
What sets this book apart is Dr. Proctor’s ability to bridge the gap between scientific observation and artistic interpretation. As an accomplished artist, she includes her own space-inspired artwork throughout the book, offering a visual representation of the emotional and psychological impact of seeing Earth from afar. These artistic interludes, along with her poetry, provide a holistic view of the Earthlight experience that goes beyond mere scientific description.
Perhaps most importantly, “Earthlight” serves as a call to action. Dr. Proctor argues that the perspective gained from space — seeing Earth as a fragile oasis in the vastness of space — is crucial for fostering a sense of global unity and environmental stewardship. Effectively, she uses her personal journey from young starry-eyed dreamer to Earth-bound geologist to space-faring astronaut to illustrate how a change in perspective can lead to a change in behavior.
Solving for Space is Solving for Earth
The latter chapters of the book demonstrate how Dr. Proctor’s space experience has informed her understanding of Earth’s systems and challenges. Her discussion of climate change, viewed through the lens of Earthlight variations and albedo changes, offers a unique perspective on this pressing issue. By connecting the dots between space observation and Earth’s environmental challenges, Dr. Proctor makes a compelling case for the importance of the Overview Effect and Earthlight in addressing global problems.
Let Your EarthLight Shine!
The motto, “Let Your EarthLight Shine” is designed to inspire and motivate individuals, communities, companies, and brands to think about how they show love for our planet. If every human on Earth did one thing in support of making humanity more harmonious with the environment we could build a more sustainable future for all of life on Earth. This includes creating a Just, Equitable, Diverse, and Inclusive Space (J.E.D.I. Space) for all of humanity both here on Earth and beyond.
The Art of EarthLight
Dr. Proctor's art is born from a perspective few have experienced - the awe-inspiring view of Earth from space, bathed in the ethereal glow of Earthlight.
This transformative vision, witnessed during her historic spaceflight, has become the cornerstone of her artistic expression.
Earthlight isn't just a visual phenomenon for Dr. Proctor; it's a profound shift in perspective that illuminates the interconnectedness of all life on our fragile blue planet.
Through her art, she strives to share this cosmic viewpoint, inviting viewers to see Earth as she does - a vibrant, precious masterpiece in the vast expanse of space.
Each brushstroke, each creation, is an attempt to capture and convey the life-changing impact of witnessing our world from above, inspiring a renewed appreciation for the beauty and vulnerability of our shared home.