Astronauts have a name for the feeling that hits them when they see Earth from space for the first time: the overview effect. The term was coined by writer Frank White in 1987 and describes a sudden rush of awe at how fragile and connected the planet looks from above. There are no borders, just swirling clouds, glowing oceans and landscapes painted in colors you\u2019d never notice from the ground. Most of us will never leave the atmosphere, but thanks to the satellites circling overhead, we can get a pretty good taste of that view.<\/p>\n
The Instagram page Galaxies regularly shares these breathtaking perspectives, and its feed reads like a gallery of Earth\u2019s most astonishing corners. A desert in Africa stares back like a giant eye. A volcano in New Zealand sits inside a forest so perfectly round it looks drawn with a compass. A Pacific island is shaped like a heart, a Nevada lake swirls like spilled paint, and a weather satellite catches the Moon peeking over Earth\u2019s horizon. Some scenes look so surreal they could pass for another planet entirely.<\/p>\n
We\u2019ve gathered some of the most striking images from the page, along with the fascinating stories behind them, from ancient pyramids and Ice Age lakes to restless volcanoes that are still reshaping the map. Scroll down for a fresh look at the world we call home, and tell us which view made your jaw drop.<\/p>\n
More info: Instagram<\/a><\/p>\n