What astronauts' extraordinary experiences of awe and humility teach us about humanity.
What is it like to stand in the shadow of Earth and the Moon and look out at the vastness of the Milky Way? To confront a view so grand it cannot be reproduced in a photo? These are the questions space anthropologist Deana L. Weibel asked as she interviewed astronauts and others in the space community. What they told her was not just surprising but also deeply moving. When gazing into star fields not fully visible from Earth, these astronauts experienced a profound sense of humility that fundamentally transformed their understanding of humanity. Welcome to the ultraview effect.
The ultraview effect expands on the classic "overview effect." Comparing spacefarers to religious pilgrims, Weibel suggests that this experience of deep humility is a generative reaction to awe, which inspires exploration and adventure. When facing the vastness of the universe, acknowledging our monumental ignorance is what drives our will to discover. A fascinating dive into science, cognition, and spirituality, The Ultraview Effect draws from astronauts' own accounts to make the case that continued human space exploration is not only a scientifically essential endeavor but also a culturally enriching one.
Deana L. Weibel is Professor of Anthropology at Grand Valley State University and author of A Sacred Vertigo: Pilgrimage and Tourism in Rocamadour, France. A frequent contributor to The Space Review, Weibel is also a Fellow of The Explorers Club and Chair of its Chicago/Great Lakes chapter.
"The Ultraview Effect fills a crucial gap in our understanding of outer space and our need as a species to get out there. It shines a clear and persuasive light on why we need to go beyond this planet and serves as a psychological blueprint, or libretto, for how we make that happen."—Paul Levinson, coeditor of Touching the Face of the Cosmos: On the Intersection of Space Travel and Religion
"Deana Weibel has put into words the fascinating perspective that I and other astronauts have had the privilege of witnessing. Looking beyond the beauty of Earth, out into the vastness of the universe, gave me a humbling glimpse into the possibilities that lie far beyond our oasis in the cosmic ocean."—John B. Herrington, retired United States Naval Aviator and former NASA astronaut
"The Ultraview Effect provides a window into the dizzying vastness of the cosmos, while revealing the value of curiosity and awe in our everyday lives here on Earth."—Erika Nesvold, author of Off-Earth: Ethical Questions and Quandaries for Living in Outer Space
"Awe is the fuel that powers our exploration of space. Humility keeps us grounded during the effort. The Ultraview Effect shows their importance in the space program and provides candid astronaut testimony and analysis of both these vital emotions. For the rest of us, Weibel provides helpful guidance on how to bring awe and humility into our own lives back on Earth and use it to energize our own exploratory spirit."—Jon Lomberg, Design Director for NASA's Voyager Golden Record
"How do you express the inexpressible? The Ultraview Effect explores our shared human desire to transform brief flashes of insight and awe into a deeper understanding of our place in the grand scheme of the universe."—Jonathan H. Ward, coauthor of Through the Glass Ceiling to the Stars: The Story of the First American Woman to Command a Space Mission
240 pp.5.5 x 8.5Illus: 9 b/w illustrations, 2 tables
9780520409521$24.95|£21.00Hardcover
May 2026