Defined by a spirit for exploration, astronauts famously pursue their profession out of a dogged desire to leave their home world behind and venture out into the stars.
But when they surpass the confines of Earth's atmosphere and begin a mission in the cosmos, most spacefarers can't help but look back and marvel at that little blue planet from which they came.
For decades, astronauts and robotic spacecraft alike setting out on trailblazing journeys into our solar system have taken the time to train their cameras on Earth. The results have been some of the most profound and breathtaking photos of our home that the vast majority of humanity will never witness in person.
To commemorate Earth Day, here's a look at some of the best photos taken of our planet from space over the years – from the Apollo era to to the current Artemis era.
Celebrated every year on April 22, Earth Day is an annual celebration focused on environmentalism and conservation efforts with the objective of motivating people to protect the planet and its natural resources.
