![2JD29PH Bode's Galaxy (Messier 81 or NGC 3031) in the constellation Ursa Major, lying asbout 12 million ly away from Earth having a diameter of about 900 000](https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/28141156/SEI_236815686.jpg)
M81 or Bode’s galaxy
Alf Jacob Nilsen/Alamy
There’s something about seeing our residence from a distance that’s particular – whether or not it’s recognizing your neighbourhood from an aeroplane or footage of Earth taken from area, it lends a way of perspective. Astronauts name this the overview impact: a sense of awe and connection to the communities and world round us, and the fantastic thing about our little inexperienced planet. It has at all times appeared a bit unhappy to me that we couldn’t get a good broader perspective, an image of our complete photo voltaic system or galaxy from afar,…