What would the Earth look like from the Moon? How do astronauts describe it?

Ha, that's an excellent question—it always gets me thrilled just thinking about it. Let me describe what it would feel like if you were actually standing on the Moon, looking up at Earth.

What Would Earth Look Like from the Moon?

Imagine standing on a gray, desolate lunar wasteland, with fine regolith beneath your feet. When you look up, the sight would be unforgettable.

1. A Giant, Brilliant, Suspended "Blue Gem"

First, Earth would appear enormous—far larger than the Moon appears from Earth. Visually, Earth’s diameter is about 4 times that of the Moon. So, it wouldn’t be a tiny dot but a spectacular sphere dominating a significant portion of your field of view.

Second, it’s incredibly bright. Earth’s albedo (its ability to reflect sunlight) is much higher than the Moon’s. When sunlight hits Earth, it glows like a massive, luminous blue gem suspended against the velvety blackness of space. Its brightness would illuminate the lunar surface around you, similar to how a full moon lights Earth’s night—but far more intensely.

You’d clearly see:

Deep blue oceans: Covering most of the view—the color of life.
Slowly swirling white clouds: Like a veil, adding dynamic beauty. You could even see storm systems drifting.
Brown and green continents: Familiar landmasses, but from that distance, no national borders or city lights would be visible (unless on Earth’s night side).

(The iconic "Earthrise" photo taken by Apollo 8 astronauts)

2. An Earth "Fixed" in the Sky

This might be the most mind-bending part: From the Moon, Earth does not rise or set like the Moon does from Earth.

This is because the Moon is "tidally locked" to Earth. Simply put, the Moon takes the same time to rotate once as it does to orbit Earth. As a result, the Moon always shows the same face to Earth.

If you’re on the Moon’s "near side" (always facing Earth), Earth hangs permanently in one spot in your sky, silently rotating in place. You could stand in one location and watch continents and oceans slowly drift across its surface.
If you’re on the Moon’s "far side", you’d never see Earth. It’s an ideal spot for deep-space observation, free from Earth’s light pollution.

So, an "Earthrise" is only visible from lunar orbit. As a spacecraft moves from the far side to the near side, Earth appears to "rise" above the Moon’s horizon.

3. Earth Has "Phases" Too

Just as we see "new moon," "first quarter," and "full moon" from Earth, observers on the Moon would see Earth phases.

When Earth sees a "full moon," the Sun, Earth, and Moon are aligned, with the Moon fully lit. From the Moon, Earth would be backlit, appearing as a "New Earth"—almost entirely dark.
Conversely, when Earth sees a "new moon," the Moon is between the Sun and Earth. From the Moon, Earth would be fully lit, revealing a dazzling "Full Earth".

Imagine a "Full Earth" hanging in the lunar sky—what a breathtaking sight!

How Do Astronauts Describe It?

Nearly all astronauts who’ve been to the Moon describe an indescribable, profound experience when looking back at Earth from space. This later became known as the "Overview Effect".

It’s a cognitive shift—a deep awe upon seeing Earth suspended in cosmic darkness.

Fragile and Beautiful: Astronauts often describe Earth as a fragile oasis. Apollo 8 astronaut William Anders said, "We came all this way to explore the Moon, and the most important thing is that we discovered the Earth." He called it a "fragile little" blue marble.
No Borders: From space, human-made borders, political divisions, and conflicts vanish. You see a whole, unified planet. Many astronauts reflect on how trivial human disputes seem.
Intense Belonging and Responsibility: Seeing our only home floating in the vast, cold cosmos sparks a powerful urge to protect it. They realize we all share this tiny planet as one community. Apollo 14’s Edgar Mitchell described it as "an overwhelming sense of connectedness... a euphoria... You want to grab a politician by the scruff of the neck and drag him a quarter of a million miles out and say, ‘Look at that, you son of a bitch!’"

In short, viewing Earth from the Moon isn’t just a visual feast—it’s a soul-stirring, philosophical journey. It lifts us beyond daily trivialities, offering a cosmic perspective on our home and ourselves.