PERSPECTIVE: “You can’t look at the Earth and not be changed,” said NASA astronaut Randy Bresnik. “You realize every experience you’ve ever had and every person you’ve ever known is down on that little blue marble.”

Bresnik will be looking down on the planet today, when, as Expedition 53 commander, he will spend one full orbit photographing Earth from the International Space Station.

And he’s asking for us back here on Earth to help him with the project.

According to NASA, Bresnik and fellow astronaut Joe Acaba “will begin the ‘photo frenzy’ from the station’s 360-degree Earth-facing cupola window beginning at 8:25 a.m.”

It takes about 90 minutes for the International Space Station to complete one orbit around Earth.

From 8:25 to 9:55 a.m. today, NASA is inviting us back here on Earth to post pictures to social media “of their surroundings from their unique vantage point using the hashtag #1World1Orbit.

Everyone is invited to participate, but NASA is encouraging students in particular to share their photographs, along with their locations and names of their schools, as part of an initiative by the agency to inspire students and educators — called NASA’s Year of Education on Station.

What a little perspective can do.

Taking photos from space can be a valuable tool for us to understand ourselves and our world better.

As the agency states, “Astronaut photography documents how the planet changes over time, from human-caused changes like urban growth and reservoir construction, to natural dynamic events such as hurricanes, floods and volcanic eruptions.

“In addition to research applications, photography is a favorite pastime of the crew, and many astronauts feel compelled to share their cosmic perspective with humanity with humanity on social media.”

On a side note, if you’re ever interested in looking for the International Space Station, visit spotthestation.nasa.gov/ to find out when it will be near you.