The Blue Marble

I floated in the big, quiet dark. It was so still and peaceful. Far away, I saw something so beautiful. It was a big, round ball, glowing with light. It had pretty white swirls, like yummy frosting on a cookie. It had big blue parts that sparkled like the ocean on a sunny day. It looked just like a shiny, perfect marble you could hold in your hand. I am a picture of your home, a photograph of the whole, wide world. They call me The Blue Marble.

I was made on a very special trip. On December 7th, 1972, three brave friends called astronauts were flying in their spaceship. Their spaceship was named Apollo 17, and they were going all the way to the Moon. Wow. As they zoomed farther and farther away, they looked out their little window. They saw their home, planet Earth, looking so small and special. It was so bright and sunny. One of the astronauts took out a camera to save the moment. He pointed it and click. In that one little moment, I was born. I am a picture that captured the sunny, bright face of Earth for everyone to see.

Why am I so special. Before I was made, no one had ever seen the whole Earth in one picture. Not like me. When people on Earth saw me for the first time, they said, 'Wow.'. They saw how beautiful and special our world is, just floating all by itself in the big, dark space. I made them feel happy and cozy. I made them want to take good care of our home. I am a reminder that we all live together on this one beautiful, blue marble. It is our job to love our home and keep it safe and clean.