https://www.tobyord.com/writing daily 0.75 2026-03-19 https://www.tobyord.com/writing/broad-timelines monthly 0.5 2026-03-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/5e874d5a-e015-4f31-afb6-2f95fb5642d3/Title+Image.png Writing - Broad Timelines - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/688c690d-f333-4c5c-bea0-b36c237375e6/Change+in+AGI+timelines+%2880k%29.jpg Writing - Broad Timelines - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/f9e30b4d-266f-4997-a917-17df4063ca43/Daniel+Kokotaljo+PDF.png Writing - Broad Timelines - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/619060b0-caf0-4d4a-9839-fff995b6bd99/Daniel+Ajeya+Ege+AGI+PDFs+%282023%29.png Writing - Broad Timelines - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/8bd0b657-71a8-418f-8ef9-400a4b699be8/Illustrative+PDF+%2880k%29.png Writing - Broad Timelines - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/e95a8394-3fe5-4abf-ac1d-03d2ebe9fa86/Metaculus+AGI+PDF+%286+Feb+2026%29.png Writing - Broad Timelines - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/a8d1b552-903a-4218-8730-6ee82cdce37d/Epoch%27s+summary+of+CDFs.png Writing - Broad Timelines - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/c52a65cf-9373-4db9-ac70-265556fde0b0/Grace+et+al+HLMI+CDFs.png Writing - Broad Timelines - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/1fd525c1-de14-43b8-b2fa-4cde84aadc71/My+Distribution.png Writing - Broad Timelines - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/f9e30b4d-266f-4997-a917-17df4063ca43/Daniel+Kokotaljo+PDF.png Writing - Broad Timelines - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/dba3a232-5c2d-4ce0-8ec1-ba44f1ddb42c/Daniel+Kokotaljo%27s+PDF+%28annotated%29.png Writing - Broad Timelines - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.tobyord.com/writing/hazard-rates-for-ai-agents-decline monthly 0.5 2026-03-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/f7f22cbc-9d79-4112-90ab-c6e71d228d60/Figure1.png Writing - Hazard Rates for AI Agents Decline as a Task Goes On - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/8c1c726b-4a5b-46b0-bbe5-d10fb965b05c/Figure2.png Writing - Hazard Rates for AI Agents Decline as a Task Goes On - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/2d77bc14-a126-4124-b8bd-c7e3701d5dd1/Figure6.png Writing - Hazard Rates for AI Agents Decline as a Task Goes On - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.tobyord.com/writing/hourly-costs-for-ai-agents monthly 0.5 2026-01-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/8b1fd882-f8f8-4879-a008-18902ece6edd/METR+time+horizon+%28log%29.png Writing - Are the Costs of AI Agents Also Rising Exponentially? - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/0187b2c9-d4fd-4fe7-a121-9187f87b5076/models_budget_comparison.png Writing - Are the Costs of AI Agents Also Rising Exponentially? - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/ea649c93-ca0c-44fb-a317-88197dead1b4/Sweet+Spots.png Writing - Are the Costs of AI Agents Also Rising Exponentially? - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/fc9f69c2-aeee-4f25-91cc-a57e85b7a82a/Saturation+Points+alt.png Writing - Are the Costs of AI Agents Also Rising Exponentially? - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/b44bf379-a37c-4086-9be5-a3b7f9426568/Sweet+Spot+Correlation.png Writing - Are the Costs of AI Agents Also Rising Exponentially? - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/b4ecb5eb-967d-4a57-a26c-3288d347789e/Saturation+Point+Correlation+alt.png Writing - Are the Costs of AI Agents Also Rising Exponentially? - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/ae144dee-9962-4942-b822-c1037966573a/models_50_time_horizon_over_resources.png Writing - Are the Costs of AI Agents Also Rising Exponentially? - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.tobyord.com/writing/how-well-does-rl-scale monthly 0.5 2025-10-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/a37e4374-55d0-4635-96b8-0a335c878c65/o1+scaling.webp Writing - How Well Does RL Scale? - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/1bb66275-e4ed-4a1e-9599-4e0ea5c43e54/MATH+%E2%80%93+level+5.png Writing - How Well Does RL Scale? - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/fa51bcb0-2984-4524-a900-926d68dee6e2/o1+with+trend.png Writing - How Well Does RL Scale? - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/bc9b74d0-964b-4c16-93b6-923728e2e8db/Mock+AIME+%2820-80%29.png Writing - How Well Does RL Scale? - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/cd8734a7-3e39-42de-b8ba-2df22dfd8030/ARC-AGI+%2820-80%29.png Writing - How Well Does RL Scale? - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/b8f2973a-ae1e-4a99-ac67-ef4a255b8d39/o1-o3+training+on+AIME.png Writing - How Well Does RL Scale? - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/f20ed647-9e87-4e3b-9ae5-58fafaa0a65d/o1-o3+diff.png Writing - How Well Does RL Scale? - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/ceb9b535-de09-4c48-91a2-b710fb13d30c/o3-GPT-5+diff.png Writing - How Well Does RL Scale? - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/538a39d0-2c6b-48bd-990e-cd47c06b29b4/o3-GPT5+GPQA+diff.png Writing - How Well Does RL Scale? - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/41d38c7a-3cd0-4605-9c31-3e021a181c9c/Grok+4+training.png Writing - How Well Does RL Scale? - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.tobyord.com/writing/mostly-inference-scaling monthly 0.5 2025-10-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/a9e4adaf-4b8f-4e86-b7bf-ff285312b751/MATH+%E2%80%93+level+5+%28plain%29.png Writing - Evidence that Recent AI Gains are Mostly from Inference-Scaling - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/75b4b2c3-4c90-4dbb-9ae1-acfee3730784/GPQA+Diamond+%28plain%29.png Writing - Evidence that Recent AI Gains are Mostly from Inference-Scaling - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/ad869729-275c-4cbc-9c1d-942f54588d9f/Mock+AIME+%28plain%29.png Writing - Evidence that Recent AI Gains are Mostly from Inference-Scaling - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/76901314-14d8-4196-a869-25f2540efeca/MATH+%E2%80%93+level+5.png Writing - Evidence that Recent AI Gains are Mostly from Inference-Scaling - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/9becd7f0-e0e2-4e32-9641-91c8824fbc6a/GPQA+Diamond.png Writing - Evidence that Recent AI Gains are Mostly from Inference-Scaling - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/0a0928d0-a39c-4fb8-aa5b-84c39a567ee7/Mock+AIME.png Writing - Evidence that Recent AI Gains are Mostly from Inference-Scaling - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/2b544f96-bb5b-495c-aba9-ce53bd9424ab/Mock+AIME+sigmoid.png Writing - Evidence that Recent AI Gains are Mostly from Inference-Scaling - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.tobyord.com/writing/inefficiency-of-reinforcement-learning monthly 0.5 2025-10-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/6c379629-6fe2-42b4-b3e7-e15b41dce179/METR+doubling Writing - The Extreme Inefficiency of RL for Frontier Models - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.tobyord.com/writing/half-life monthly 0.5 2026-02-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/3ac5cc96-1407-48a0-80e4-ab8a226e3d6c/Figure+1.png Writing - Is there a Half-Life for the Success Rates of AI Agents? - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/0eed5814-5ddb-49a9-9ed1-2052bcc794f4/Figure+2.png Writing - Is there a Half-Life for the Success Rates of AI Agents? - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/298e3bea-1b1d-49f8-a665-8832aea191af/Figure+3.png Writing - Is there a Half-Life for the Success Rates of AI Agents? - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/d641d697-240b-4c0f-8676-c649e477d235/Figure+4.png Writing - Is there a Half-Life for the Success Rates of AI Agents? - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/9c39bdb4-ea1d-441d-ae07-d13e80c36369/Figure+5.png Writing - Is there a Half-Life for the Success Rates of AI Agents? - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.tobyord.com/writing/inference-scaling-reshapes-ai-governance monthly 0.5 2025-06-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/0a2e094a-7089-4e66-b955-cf7e2b7271b2/o1+performance.png Writing - Inference Scaling Reshapes AI Governance - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/92956b40-e44e-4678-b56e-f58110b5a7fa/Training+Stages.png Writing - Inference Scaling Reshapes AI Governance - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/318d5297-2724-4ed3-9d89-c45336f6c79c/o3+performance+on+ARC-AGI.jpeg Writing - Inference Scaling Reshapes AI Governance - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/fbbb5f48-c287-47d6-bca8-0c5c947154a6/IDA-wide.png Writing - Inference Scaling Reshapes AI Governance - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.tobyord.com/writing/inference-scaling-and-the-log-x-chart monthly 0.5 2025-06-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/4d89d583-9b47-4188-9291-1a71d11922d5/o1+performance.png Writing - Inference Scaling and the Log-x Chart - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/76bc6f83-04f1-44e7-9620-f6467434f1fd/Moore%27s_Law_Transistor_Count_1970-2020.png Writing - Inference Scaling and the Log-x Chart - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/90fdddeb-7ee5-425b-929d-a24342232dde/Large+Language+Monkeys+1.png Writing - Inference Scaling and the Log-x Chart - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/369e71d1-b87e-4c45-be88-4dc984f57fb8/Large+Language+Monkeys+2.png Writing - Inference Scaling and the Log-x Chart - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/03e930e4-0135-4ae5-8c07-be02ffbfa756/o3+performance+on+ARC-AGI.jpeg Writing - Inference Scaling and the Log-x Chart - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/51928fb8-8fa3-4c82-89b8-4afa4f975549/o3+trends.png Writing - Inference Scaling and the Log-x Chart - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/0a3ecdac-2df0-42d2-a19b-bb41e63dfe40/Human+inference+scaling+%28METR%29.png Writing - Inference Scaling and the Log-x Chart - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/c5a261ab-f3d1-43aa-8cbc-7b9a3b8cfc05/ARC.png Writing - Inference Scaling and the Log-x Chart - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.tobyord.com/writing/the-scaling-paradox monthly 0.5 2025-06-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/3b7d484b-f2ad-4b42-8540-246bee7b2c55/o1+performance.png Writing - The Scaling Paradox - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/500ded62-c7b3-446d-b692-649e8af0fe8b/Scaling+Laws+%28Kaplan+2020%29.png Writing - The Scaling Paradox - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/68f3272e-602d-4cde-b4c7-4615af39408b/Redrawn+Scaling.png Writing - The Scaling Paradox - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/653d4554-6bc9-40b0-b1e9-a55b35a0e84d/Chinchilla+scaling.png Writing - The Scaling Paradox - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.tobyord.com/writing/the-precipice-revisited monthly 0.5 2025-06-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/40e97e91-6d02-47a0-8875-5d3b6f49c0e5/RCPs.png Writing - The Precipice Revisited - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/92a4084e-3fe5-4b41-b68e-56908708c2b3/ECS.png Writing - The Precipice Revisited - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/52cfab69-62c2-4c1f-a534-11d1d5db050f/Stockpiles.png Writing - The Precipice Revisited - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/76cb6746-3fd6-4da4-8b68-33203746cb0d/Vaccines.png Writing - The Precipice Revisited - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/5b365449-7b69-42c9-a10a-482573fca074/1.png Writing - The Precipice Revisited - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/ecfef9b1-da39-4dfa-89a7-415b998cf74c/3.png Writing - The Precipice Revisited - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/f5373b6f-8cde-40e5-bc28-0c5997983e58/4.png Writing - The Precipice Revisited - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.tobyord.com/writing/progress monthly 0.5 2025-06-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/e8b504c3-202c-4d20-84d2-b3cb6374fa92/Advancement+%28infinite%29+w.png Writing - On the Value of Advancing Progress - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/077e990d-236c-47cc-a80b-2c179ebb406f/Advancement+%28exo%29+w.png Writing - On the Value of Advancing Progress - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/903f0bba-eadf-4848-be3f-f09fd6b7b5e1/Advancement+%28endo%29+w.png Writing - On the Value of Advancing Progress - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.tobyord.com/writing/robust-longterm-comparisons monthly 0.5 2025-06-23 https://www.tobyord.com/writing/timing-of-labour monthly 0.5 2023-03-27 https://www.tobyord.com/writing/a-childs-plaything monthly 0.5 2025-06-23 https://www.tobyord.com/writing/remembering-peter-eckersley monthly 0.5 2023-03-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/d8244421-e5c4-4a4a-9ba1-13bcef79deb5/1+Desktop.jpg Writing - Remembering Peter Eckersley - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/6c0c5317-a856-4bf1-bb6d-da9035d29b6d/2+1998+Melbourne.jpeg Writing - Remembering Peter Eckersley - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/581d171c-95ea-4714-9cbd-d6af03baf263/3+2000+Melbourne.jpg Writing - Remembering Peter Eckersley - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/ce808c97-b891-4667-a17f-6a4be39b133b/4+2011+San+Francisco.jpeg Writing - Remembering Peter Eckersley - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/401afb23-b642-4259-b840-7e9fc6d509bc/5+2008+San+Francisco.jpeg Writing - Remembering Peter Eckersley - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/60ef18ed-8eaf-488e-8633-9e51411f8975/6+2008+San+Francisco.jpg Writing - Remembering Peter Eckersley - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/25aa01f9-b4e8-4a50-ab7a-eb48438ad79d/7+2011+San+Francisco.jpeg Writing - Remembering Peter Eckersley - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.tobyord.com/writing/decisive-vote monthly 0.5 2025-03-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/1627038268150-9CCU5RSELSF6TWSX6S5W/Figure+1.png Writing - Casting the Decisive Vote - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/1627038330461-2K6ZMBY0DF6POBMOHUTG/Figure+2.png Writing - Casting the Decisive Vote - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.tobyord.com/writing/category/Miscellaneous monthly 0.5 https://www.tobyord.com/writing/category/Computer+Science monthly 0.5 https://www.tobyord.com/writing/category/Existential+Risk monthly 0.5 https://www.tobyord.com/writing/category/Puzzles monthly 0.5 https://www.tobyord.com/writing/category/Philosophy monthly 0.5 https://www.tobyord.com/writing/category/Fiction monthly 0.5 https://www.tobyord.com/projects daily 0.75 2020-12-23 https://www.tobyord.com/consulting daily 0.75 2016-02-19 https://www.tobyord.com/home daily 1.0 2025-10-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/294de628-8d71-41d1-8302-ab50aaa34fb4/Toby+Ord+2+%283x4%29.jpg About https://www.tobyord.com/media daily 0.75 2020-07-29 https://www.tobyord.com/research daily 0.75 2025-09-25 https://www.tobyord.com/book daily 0.75 2020-02-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/1582637485186-ZBQ6WXJ2XFR2640AMD0C/Precipice+Cover.jpg Book https://www.tobyord.com/press-kit daily 0.75 2020-02-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/1582730514943-G0IR49EXT2QDYAIEFL17/Toby-Ord-1-colour.jpg Press Kit https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/1582730480210-J32VDFDK7VQ6AKU4X4FX/Toby-Ord-1-BW-crop.jpg Press Kit https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/1582730501257-UYCF2T6K85747QSLWDY4/Toby-Ord-1-BW.jpg Press Kit https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/1582730530454-IMAOGO98R7L1R33TJWVC/Toby-Ord-2.jpg Press Kit https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/1582730544399-F2NXXDEJXN5574C856VA/Toby-Ord-3.jpg Press Kit https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/1582730567414-KLABEXOH66LC3XA44CXE/Toby-Ord-4.jpg Press Kit https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/1582730583572-56J3I9E4NNTAKHA02PYH/Toby-Ord-5.jpg Press Kit https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/1582730580293-UNKTOFWXIENTKEAXU079/Toby-Ord-6.jpg Press Kit https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/1582732184633-HT7I35P32AKF5ERD5KEP/The-Precipice-Hachette.png Press Kit - US Book Cover (Hachette) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/1582732203463-3OCUZ1T2BUTBEX8TUGF6/The-Precipice-Bloomsbury.png Press Kit - UK Book Cover (Bloomsbury) https://www.tobyord.com/earth daily 0.75 2021-04-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/1615641121068-XC852TCA5QTY3GBQHGZ3/AS04-01-0550.jpg Earth Restored Apollo 4 A breathtaking view of the crescent Earth. One of the very first photographs of the whole Earth from space, and one of the most beautiful. It was taken the day before the famous photograph that adorned the Whole Earth Catalog (by satellite ATS-III) and just a day after the very first colour photograph of the whole Earth (also by ATS-III). Through the clouds we see a slice of the Atlantic Ocean. Africa would be in the centre of our view, but is in darkness. The shot was taken by an automatic camera onboard the unmanned Apollo 4 mission—the first flight of the Saturn V rocket. It is from a distance of 18,000 km (5% of the way to the Moon), near the apogee of the flight. It is the only image in this collection not taken with a Hasselblad camera and not taken by human hands. Full Resolution Date – 18:06 UTC, 9 Nov 1967 Camera – J. A. Maurer, Model 220 G, 70mm Settings – ƒ/8, 1/500 second Lens – 76mm Kodak Ekar ƒ/2.8 Code – AS04-01-0550 Scan – LPI (not online) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/1615641200330-1KTW5AIHCW4KZRI2C7G5/AS08-16-2593.jpg Earth Restored Apollo 8 The moment humans first saw the whole Earth with their own eyes. Floating in space, the Apollo 8 crew saw the Earth at this unexpected angle, with North to the lower-left. It was taken on the way to the Moon, from a distance of 27,000 km. Jim Lovell: Boy, it's really hard to describe what this Earth looks like. I'm looking out my center window, which is a round window, and the window is bigger than the earth is right now. I can clearly see the terminator. I can see most of South America, all the way up to Central America, Yucatan, and the peninsula of Florida. There is a big swirling motion just off the east coast, and then going on over toward the east, I can still see West Africa, which has a few clouds right now. We can see all the way down to Cape Horn in South America. Michael Collins: Good grief, that must be quite a view. Full Resolution Date – ~17:15 UTC, 21 Dec 1968 Lens – Zeiss Planar ƒ-2.8/80mm Code – AS08-16-2593 Scan – LPI (not online) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/1615641153639-EZDR0JPLT9O1JKBHBJ88/AS08-13-2329.jpg Earth Restored Apollo 8 The first earthrise photograph. Taken by Bill Anders moments before the more famous colour shot. All ‘earthrise’ images are taken from lunar orbit, as the spacecraft comes around the far side of the Moon and sees the Earth once more. It is also the welcome moment when radio contact with home can be re-established. The mission transcript records their delight: Anders: Oh my God! Look at that picture over there! There's the Earth coming up. Wow, is that pretty. Borman: [joking] Hey, don't take that, it's not scheduled. Anders: [laughs] You got a color film, Jim? Hand me that roll of color quick, would you... Lovell: Oh man, that's great! Full Resolution Date – 16:38:44 UTC, 24 Dec 1968 Shutter Speed – 1/250 second Lens – Zeiss Sonnar ƒ-5.6/250mm Code – AS08-13-2329 Scan – ASU (Rotated 90° anticlockwise to match next image) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/1615641175414-L2WIBDYCL7Q9J1AH5J54/AS08-14-2383.jpg Earth Restored Apollo 8 — ‘Earthrise' One of the most famous photographs of all time, it was taken by Bill Anders and is the first colour earthrise. It is displayed here it is in its original orientation, with North up. We can see night falling across Africa and clouds over Europe and the Americas. Because it was one of the first photographs of Earth in public circulation and highlighted its fragility by contrast with the barren lunar surface, Earthrise became an environmentalist icon. ‘It was the most beautiful, heart-catching sight of my life, one that sent a torrent of nostalgia, of sheer homesickness, surging through me.’ — Frank Borman, Apollo 8 'We came all this way to explore the moon, and the most important thing is that we discovered the earth.' — Bill Anders, Apollo 8 Full Resolution Date – 16:39:39 UTC, 24 Dec 1968 Aperture – ƒ/11 Shutter Speed – 1/250 second Lens – Zeiss Sonnar ƒ-5.6/250mm Code – AS08-14-2383 Scan – LPI (not online) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/1615641204854-5SY6WWK8TBYM5VYL90FV/AS10-34-5013.jpg Earth Restored Apollo 10 A view of North America and the Pacific from a distance of about 48,000 km, on the way to the Moon. North is to the lower right. ‘This is my favourite photo from Apollo 10. … To see our home planet from this view was absolutely awesome. It was nearly breathtaking. I was reminded of Socrates’ saying in 399 BCE, before flight above the ground was theorized: “A man must rise above the Earth to the top of the atmosphere and beyond, and only thus will he fully understand the world in which he lives.”’ — Thomas Stafford, Apollo 10 Full Resolution Date – 18 May 1969 Lens – Zeiss Planar ƒ-2.8/80mm Code – AS10-34-5013 Scan – LPI (not online) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/1615641257385-QWSTMDFIURM4NNQQSWJN/AS11-36-5339.jpg Earth Restored Apollo 11 A stunning view of the Pacific Ocean and the West Coast of North America. Taken by the crew of Apollo 11 on their way out to the Moon. Full Resolution Date – 16 Jul 1969 Lens – Zeiss Sonnar ƒ-5.6/250mm Code – AS11-36-5339 Scan – LPI (not online) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/1615641224993-4RN37F2S9P9DALDCEG41/AS11-36-5355.jpg Earth Restored Apollo 11 A view of Africa, Europe, and the Middle East, taken by the Apollo 11 crew from about half way to the Moon. This is the image of Earth that would later be sent on the Voyager spacecraft's golden records to represent humanity's home. Full Resolution Date – 17 Jul 1969 Lens – Zeiss Sonnar ƒ-5.6/250mm Code – AS11-36-5355 Scan – LPI (not online) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/1615641254469-Y9XV5SXNLCQNNGJSV801/AS11-37-5434.jpg Earth Restored Apollo 11 A view of Earth from the Lunar Module before it separated and descended to the lunar surface. Taken by Buzz Aldrin. The transcript reveals Aldrin was unsatisfied with the photograph: Aldrin: I see the Earth, but it's a lousy picture. … I got the Earth down by the strut. However, the Lunar Module, bathed in a ghostly light, ready to make history, gives us much more of the feeling of being there than an unobscured image ever could. Full Resolution Date – 20 Jul 1969 Lens – Zeiss Planar ƒ-2.8/80mm Code – AS11-37-5434 Scan – Project Apollo Archive https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/1615641275894-4YQGNR8L847512AM59P2/AS11-44-6642.jpg Earth Restored Apollo 11 After 22 hours on the Moon, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin return to orbit aboard the ascent stage of the Lunar Module, ready to join Michael Collins and begin the long journey home. Collins, who remained in orbit on the Command Module, is behind the lens. Every other human is in front of it. ‘Little by little, they grew closer, steady as if on rails, and I thought, “What a beautiful sight,” one that had to be recorded. As I reached for my Hasselblad, suddenly the Earth popped up over the horizon, directly behind Eagle. I could not have staged it any better’ — Michael Collins, Apollo 11 Full Resolution Date – 21 Jul 1969 Lens – Zeiss Planar ƒ-2.8/80mm Code – AS11-44-6642 Scan – LPI (not online) (Rotated 90° clockwise) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/1615641271906-CEXNMVTIAN7MKXMQDCDI/AS11-44-6689.jpg Earth Restored Apollo 11 A beautiful crescent Earth. Taken by the Apollo 11 crew on their way home. In this image, North is down. Near the centre is the southern tip of Africa, pointing upwards. Sunlight glints off wetlands and rivers. ‘Oddly enough the overriding sensation I got looking at the earth was, my god that little thing is so fragile out there.’ — Michael Collins, Apollo 11 Full Resolution Date – 24 Jul 1969 Lens – Zeiss Planar ƒ-2.8/80mm Code – AS11-44-6689 Scan – LPI (not online) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/1615641323750-Z9Q7U866Y6P3QLT2306P/AS11-44-6692.jpg Earth Restored Apollo 11 Taken by the Apollo 11 crew on their way home. In this image, North is down. Near the centre is the southern tip of Africa, pointing upwards. Sunlight glints off wetlands and rivers. Full Resolution Date – 24 Jul 1969 Lens – Zeiss Sonnar ƒ-5.6/250mm Code – AS11-44-6692 Scan – LPI (not online) (Rotated 12° to match others in the sequence) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/1615641317808-SQHTEQLNSHW8ZIXTTVS2/AS11-44-6693.jpg Earth Restored Apollo 11 Taken by the Apollo 11 crew on their way home. In this image, North is down. Near the bottom is the southern tip of Africa, pointing upwards. At the top, we see the crescent Earth taper away to nothing. ‘The thing that really surprised me was that it projected an air of fragility. And why, I don’t know. I don’t know to this day. I had a feeling it’s tiny, it’s shiny, it’s beautiful, it’s home, and it’s fragile.’ — Michael Collins, Apollo 11 Full Resolution Date – 24 Jul 1969 Lens – Zeiss Sonnar ƒ-5.6/250mm Code – AS11-44-6693 Scan – LPI (not online) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/1615641346589-N2SEP4A0LS2FQJWKN2Y8/AS12-50-7351.jpg Earth Restored Apollo 12 An underexposed photograph of a half-Earth hanging in the void. Looking closely, we can see the Americas beneath the clouds. It was taken by the crew of Apollo 12 shortly after leaving the Earth. Full Resolution Date – 14 Nov 1969 Lens – Zeiss Planar ƒ-2.8/80mm Code – AS12-50-7351 Scan – ASU (Rotated 180°) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/1615641369970-ORCTDW28CFEQKKWW32XX/AS12-50-7362.jpg Earth Restored Apollo 12 A luminous view of the Pacific Ocean taken by the Apollo 12 astronauts on their way out to the Moon. North is to the bottom-left, and the northern-most parts of Australia can just be made out at the far right. Full Resolution Date – 15 Nov 1969 Lens – Zeiss Sonnar ƒ-5.6/250mm Code – AS12-50-7362 Scan – ASU https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/1615641355434-NRXNLH87PTWJR2P8M7CI/AS12-50-7383.jpg Earth Restored Apollo 12 At a great distance the crescent Earth takes on a striking resemblance to the Moon. Yet looking closely, we can see Australia near the centre, and part of Antarctica at the bottom, bathed in summer light. This image was taken by the Apollo 12 crew about half way to the Moon. 'It was hard to believe that everybody I had ever known or seen on TV, and the places they lived and played were all on that little blue-and-white marble.' — Alan Bean, Apollo 12 Full Resolution Date – 16 Nov 1969 Lens – Zeiss Sonnar ƒ-5.6/250mm Code – AS12-50-7383 Scan – Project Apollo Archive (Rotated 90° clockwise) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/1615641372124-7BY44A406E86M9VPTCYW/AS12-51-7524.jpg Earth Restored Apollo 12 A haunting crescent earthrise. It was taken by Richard Gordon, alone aboard the Command Module while the others were down on the lunar surface. Under the clouds lies the Indian Ocean. Full Resolution Date – ~12:00 UTC 19 Nov 1969 Lens – Zeiss Sonnar ƒ-5.6/250mm Code – AS12-51-7524 Scan – ASU (Rotated 90° clockwise) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/1615641387325-JYP9CK7JVYASOR450P27/AS12-51-7525.jpg Earth Restored Apollo 12 A haunting crescent earthrise. It was taken by Richard Gordon, alone aboard the Command Module while the others were down on the lunar surface. Under the clouds lies the Indian Ocean. Full Resolution Date – ~12:00 UTC 19 Nov 1969 Lens – Zeiss Sonnar ƒ-5.6/250mm Code – AS12-51-7525 Scan – ASU (Rotated 90° clockwise) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/1615641388981-VS4CS7KVPEX1AO5PAL8S/AS12-51-7526.jpg Earth Restored Apollo 12 A haunting crescent earthrise. It was taken by Richard Gordon, alone aboard the Command Module while the others were down on the lunar surface. Under the clouds lies the Indian Ocean. Full Resolution Date – ~12:00 UTC 19 Nov 1969 Lens – Zeiss Sonnar ƒ-5.6/250mm Code – AS12-51-7526 Scan – ASU (Rotated 90° clockwise) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/1615641403105-XKBOJZ2NR4EDAF5E94XE/AS12-51-7527.jpg Earth Restored Apollo 12 A haunting crescent earthrise. It was taken by Richard Gordon, alone aboard the Command Module while the others were down on the lunar surface. Under the clouds lies the Indian Ocean. Full Resolution Date – ~12:00 UTC 19 Nov 1969 Lens – Zeiss Sonnar ƒ-5.6/250mm Code – AS12-51-7527 Scan – ASU (Rotated 90° clockwise) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/1615641405244-7HCASLZ8PS2KDDDYB1U3/AS12-51-7528.jpg Earth Restored Apollo 12 A haunting crescent earthrise. It was taken by Richard Gordon, alone aboard the Command Module while the others were down on the lunar surface. Under the clouds lies the Indian Ocean. Full Resolution Date – ~12:00 UTC 19 Nov 1969 Lens – Zeiss Sonnar ƒ-5.6/250mm Code – AS12-51-7528 Scan – ASU (Rotated 90° clockwise) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/1615641419463-16HQ7WMMUCDMXYEPX9S3/AS12-51-7581.jpg Earth Restored Apollo 12 A slender crescent Earth, taken by the crew of Apollo 12 on their way home. North is up. A sliver of the Pacific Ocean is visible, with clouds showing the pink and orange of sunset. Full Resolution Date – 21 Nov 1969 Lens – Zeiss Sonnar ƒ-5.6/250mm Code – AS12-51-7581 Scan – ASU (Rotated 90° clockwise) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/1615641423815-Y3F001IM5ISYX8XHU8K4/AS12-51-7582.jpg Earth Restored Apollo 12 A slender crescent Earth, captured by the crew of Apollo 12 on their way home. The glare of the sun from the left has washed out the image, but granted it an ethereal quality. Full Resolution Date – 21-22 Nov 1969 Lens – Zeiss Sonnar ƒ-5.6/250mm Code – AS12-51-7582 Scan – Project Apollo Archive https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/1615641438105-FTD1IYQVW0TA8U4GG23R/AS12-51-7586.jpg Earth Restored Apollo 12 An exceptionally slender crescent Earth, taken by the crew of Apollo 12 on their way home. The glare of the sun from the top-left has washed out the image, but granted it an ethereal quality. Full Resolution Date – 23-24 Nov 1969 Lens – Zeiss Sonnar ƒ-5.6/250mm Code – AS12-51-7586 Scan – Project Apollo Archive https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/1615641451742-JNNYQBIARQ4HYTBSV5B7/AS12-51-7587.jpg Earth Restored Apollo 12 An exceptionally slender crescent Earth, taken by the crew of Apollo 12 on their way home. The glare of the sun from the top-left has washed out the image, but granted it an ethereal quality. Full Resolution Date – 23-24 Nov 1969 Lens – Zeiss Sonnar ƒ-5.6/250mm Code – AS12-51-7587 Scan – Project Apollo Archive https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/1615641472804-GAVJ9QELX46KXUXNQ6MJ/AS12-53-7891.jpg Earth Restored Apollo 12 The Earth, just as it begins to eclipse the Sun. Four hours before they were due to splash down in the Pacific, the trajectory of Apollo 12 passed through the Earth’s shadow. This allowed the astronauts to witness a kind of eclipse never seen before, or since. The sunlight refracted around the Earth’s atmosphere and formed a glowing circle. The mission transcript reveals their sense of awe: Alan Bean: You can’t see the Earth. It’s black just like space. … All you can see is this sort of purple-blue, orange, some shades of violet, completely around the Earth. … It’s a heck of a time to be without any 70mm colour film, I’ll tell you! … Richard Gordon: This is really spectacular. … Have you got any more adjectives for spectacular? I’d like to use some if you have. … Alan Bean: This has got to be the most spectacular sight of the whole flight. Full Resolution Date – ~17:00 UTC, 24 Nov 1969 Lens – Zeiss Planar ƒ-2.8/80mm Code – AS12-53-7891 Scan – ASU https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/1615641460059-NXSGI81NEZT5HSJ4ST7G/AS12-53-7902.jpg Earth Restored Apollo 12 As the sun disappeared behind the Earth, the astronauts became able to make out detail on the Earth’s night side: Richard Gordon: Say, Houston. It’s very interesting. We can see lightning and thunderstorms down there on the Earth.… Alan Bean: Yes. They look like—sort of just like fireflies down there blinking off and on. … Pete Conrad: We’re better night-adapted now, and by golly, we can see India, and we can see the Red Sea, and we can see the Indian Ocean quite clearly. It’s amazing how well we can see … We can also distinguish the lights of large towns with our naked eye, just barely… Many years later, Alan Bean would make two paintings, capturing in full colour what he saw in those few minutes of totality. Full Resolution Date – ~17:00 UTC, 24 Nov 1969 Lens – Zeiss Planar ƒ-2.8/80mm Code – AS12-53-7902 Scan – ASU https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/1615641504092-OSPJJI7K9O2OZ1B53ODJ/AS12-53-7910.jpg Earth Restored Apollo 12 Listed in the official logs as 'Camera malfunction', a close examination of the mission transcripts shows that this was an attempt at capturing the total eclipse of the Sun by the Earth with a long exposure. Looking carefully, we can see that the glowing ring of atmosphere—half sunset, half dawn—extends all the way around the Earth, but the thin circle has been blurred by hand shake during the exposure and some kind of camera malfunction has indeed spread the light vertically across the image. A true image of what the astronauts saw would have been breathtaking. And yet this strange distorted image has an unearthly beauty of its own. Full Resolution Date – ~17:00 UTC, 24 Nov 1969 Lens – Zeiss Planar ƒ-2.8/80mm Code – AS12-53-7910 Scan – ASU https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/1615641483916-UPC321O9GUZV8QVYKY73/AS12-53-7921.jpg Earth Restored Apollo 12 As Apollo 12 slips out of the Earth’s shadow, and the eclipse comes to an end. The astronauts again see the Sun shine out brilliantly from behind the Earth’s silhouette. In just four more hours, they would be splashing down into the Pacific Ocean. Full Resolution Date – ~17:00 UTC, 24 Nov 1969 Lens – Zeiss Planar ƒ-2.8/80mm Code – AS12-53-7921 Scan – ASU https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/1615641536246-ZVU03KJMD26J0PVT4A1S/AS13-60-8592.jpg Earth Restored Apollo 13 A study in blue and white. We can see half the Earth, with ice in the Arctic and clouds over the Pacific. Taken by the crew of Apollo 13 as they left the Earth on their ill-fated journey to the Moon. This was two days before the explosion. Full Resolution Date – ~03:10 UTC, 12 April 1970 Lens – Zeiss Sonnar ƒ-5.6/250mm Code – AS13-60-8592 Scan – JSC https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/1615641595778-J6HOUW5O6MN0R1QKU1F4/AS13-63-9045.jpg Earth Restored Apollo 13 A crescent Earth, surrounded by reflections of the Lunar Module. The crew of Apollo 13 were forced to shelter here when the Command Module lost power. This photograph was taken three days after the explosion. By now the crew were severely sleep-deprived as even the Lunar Module had become too cold for sleep. In a private moment, a crew member took this photo of home, looking down at the cloud strewn Pacific Ocean where they were due to splash down and await rescue—if they could survive for eleven more hours. This forgotten historic photograph was listed in the archives simply as: "Unuseable. Prehaps a double exposure. Included for completeness. Not included in published indexes." Full Resolution Date – ~06:30 UTC, 17 April 1970 Lens – Zeiss Biogon ƒ-5.6/60mm (?) Camera – Hasselblad 500 EL Data Camera (?) Code – AS13-63-9045 Scan – JSC (Réseau plate crosses removed) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/1615641536249-AEEPJSG903B0CE5WTRRS/AS13-59-8492.jpg Earth Restored Apollo 13 A haunting image of a crescent Earth surrounded by reflections from the Lunar Module, where the crew of Apollo 13 had been taking shelter since the accident. Parts of Asia and the Indian Ocean can just be made out in what is almost indistinguishable from a crescent Moon. They were 80,000 km and seven hours away from safety. Full Resolution Date – ~11:00 UTC, 17 April 1970 Lens – Zeiss Biogon ƒ-5.6/60mm (?) Camera – Hasselblad 500 EL Data Camera (?) Code – AS13-59-8492 Scan – ASU (Réseau plate crosses removed) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/1615641598213-YPFDEAM7KAFK35G9SR4I/AS14-71-9847.jpg Earth Restored Apollo 14 A dramatic crescent earthrise, in black and white. Taken by the crew of Apollo 14 as they came around the far side of the Moon for the final time before heading home. A thin slice of the Pacific Ocean is all that is visible. 'Suddenly, from behind the rim of the Moon, in long, slow-motion moments of immense majesty, there emerges a sparkling blue and white jewel, a light, delicate sky-blue sphere laced with slowly swirling veils of white, rising gradually like a small pearl in a thick sea of black mystery. It takes more than a moment to fully realize this is Earth … home.' — Edgar Mitchell, Apollo 14 'If somebody’d said before the flight, “Are you going to get carried away looking at the earth from the moon?” I would have say, “No, no way.” But yet when I first looked back at the earth, standing on the moon, I cried.' — Alan Shepard, Apollo 14 Full Resolution Date – ~02:00 UTC, 7 February 1971 Lens – Zeiss Sonnar ƒ-5.6/250mm Code – AS14-71-9847 Scan – ASU (Rotated 90° clockwise) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/1615641618095-6LPZYRX8STNQBUEDLLG8/AS14-76-10348.jpg Earth Restored Apollo 14 A crescent Earth, glowing amidst the reflections from the Command Module's window. Taken by the crew of Apollo 14 on their way home. ‘Eventually we must leave Earth—at least a certain number of our progeny must as our sun approaches the end of its solar life cycle. But just as terrestrial explorers have always led the way for settlers, this will also happen extraterrestrially. Earth is our cradle, not our final destiny.’ — Edgar Mitchell, Apollo 14 Full Resolution Date – 8 February 1971 Lens – Zeiss Planar ƒ-2.8/80mm Code – AS14-76-10348 Scan – LPI https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/1615641668725-1B7KVID04NBIDUBPFUIO/AS15-97-13269.jpg Earth Restored Apollo 15 Earthrise from Apollo 15. It is not immediately obvious, but this photograph is in colour. It was taken in this unusual orientation, with the lunar surface at the top and a thin crescent Earth hanging below. North is to the upper left. Alfred Worden, who took this photo, was deeply moved by his time alone in orbit around the Moon during Apollo 15. After returning to Earth, he wrote these lines: Quietly, like a night bird, floating, soaring, wingless We glide from shore to shore, curving and falling but not quite touching; Earth: a distant memory seen in an instant of repose, crescent shaped, ethereal, beautiful, I wonder which part is home, but I know it doesn't matter… the bond is there in my mind and memory; Earth: a small, bubbly balloon hanging delicately in the nothingness of space. Full Resolution Date – 4 Aug 1971 Lens – Zeiss Sonnar ƒ-5.6/250mm Code – AS15-97-13269 Scan – JSC https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/1615641623727-7S6Z9FA9GTSTTBMMJK19/AS15-96-13104.jpg Earth Restored Apollo 15 The official records for this photograph list it merely as “blank”, but in the centre is a very thin crescent Earth—awash in the glow of lens flare from the Sun just out of frame. It was taken as a reference colour photo for a set of ultraviolet photographs of the Earth on the crew's return journey. They were taken with a rare lens, made of quartz instead of glass, to allow more UV light through. North is to the upper left. ‘The Earth reminded us of a Christmas tree ornament hanging in the blackness of space. As we got farther and farther away it diminished in size. Finally it shrank to the size of a marble, the most beautiful marble you can imagine. That beautiful, warm, living object looked so fragile, so delicate, that if you touched it with a finger it would crumble and fall apart.’ — James Irwin, Apollo 15 Full Resolution Date – ~18:00 UTC, 6 August 1971 Lens – Zeiss UV Sonnar ƒ-4.3/105mm Code – AS15-96-13104 Scan – ASU https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/1615641643451-4154I8OYWY9ZJ1RC5GBL/AS15-96-13131.jpg Earth Restored Apollo 15 A slender crescent Earth seen through the grime and reflections of a Command Module window. Taken by the crew of Apollo 15 on their journey home. Full Resolution Date – 7 August 1971 Lens – Zeiss UV Sonnar ƒ-4.3/105mm Code – AS15-96-13131 Scan – Project Apollo Archive https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/1615641643450-39XI1O2ARHZAD7FSFYEW/AS15-96-13136.jpg Earth Restored Apollo 15 A sliver of Earth is just visible amidst the lens flare from the Sun. North is up, so it is the East that is lit and the West in darkness. It is thus one of the only photographs from the entire Apollo program that shows not a sunset, but a new dawn. ‘Now I know why I’m here. Not for a closer look at the moon, but to look back at our home, the Earth.’ — Alfred Worden, Apollo 15 Full Resolution Date – ~15:30 UTC, 7 August 1971 Lens – Zeiss UV Sonnar ƒ-4.3/105mm Code – AS15-96-13136 Scan – ASU https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/1615641702667-AZD4J8JTG6N0FB68TDTL/AS16-118-18885.jpg Earth Restored Apollo 16 A stunning view of a nearly full Earth. North America is near the centre, surrounded by the Pacific, Atlantic, and Caribbean. Taken by the crew of Apollo 16, four hours after lift-off. 'I was able to look out the window to see this incredible sight of the whole circle of the Earth. Oceans were crystal blue, the land was brown, and the clouds and the snow were pure white. And that jewel of Earth was just hung up in the blackness of space.' — Charlie Duke, Apollo 16 Full Resolution Date – 16 April 1972 Lens – Zeiss Planar ƒ-2.8/80mm Code – AS16-118-18885 Scan – LPI (not online) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/1615641728228-Y3ADUW0H0LGAO7P4E3EM/AS17-148-22727.jpg Earth Restored Apollo 17 — ‘The Blue Marble' One of the most famous photographs ever taken. The crew of Apollo 17 captured this image of the Earth five hours after liftoff—29,000 km into their journey to the Moon. This final Apollo mission had a unique trajectory. It passed almost directly between the Earth and the Sun, allowing a photograph showing a very nearly 'full Earth'. Only a tiny sliver (on the right) is still in darkness. One can trace the equator by its ring of clouds, giving the image a sense of depth. Eugene Cernan: And I suppose we're seeing as 100 percent full Earth as we'll ever see; certainly as I've ever seen. … it's about 99 percent pure. Bob, it's these kind of views that stick with you forever. … Jack Schmitt: I'll tell you, if there ever was a fragile-appearing piece of blue in space, it's the Earth right now. Full Resolution Date – 10:39 UTC, 7 December 1972 Lens – Zeiss Planar ƒ-2.8/80mm Code – AS17-148-22727 Scan – LPI (not online) (Rotated 180°) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/1615641721403-LESXCN5XTF83BLDPSEBG/AS17-148-22742.jpg Earth Restored Apollo 17 Australia, surrounded by ocean. Antarctica can be seen to the South, but much of South-East Asia is hidden by cloud. Taken by the crew of Apollo 17 on their way to the Moon. Full Resolution Date – ~05:30 UTC, 8 Dec 1972 Lens – Zeiss Sonnar ƒ-5.6/250mm Code – AS17-148-22742 Scan – LPI (not online) (Rotated 180°) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/1615641806125-E07KX493LGGWLTA204AR/AS17-152-23271.jpg Earth Restored Apollo 17 A surreal crescent earthrise. Taken by the crew of Apollo 17, a day after they had reunited in lunar orbit. They would have no idea that it would be more than fifty years before someone else will again touch the Moon. Full Resolution Date – ~04:10 UTC, 16 Dec 1972 Lens – Zeiss Sonnar ƒ-5.6/250mm Code – AS17-152-23271 Scan – LPI (not online) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/1615641805914-3P2P6TTD88P4CHM4PC37/AS17-152-23272.jpg Earth Restored Apollo 17 A surreal crescent earthrise. Taken by the crew of Apollo 17, a day after they had reunited in lunar orbit. They would have no idea that it would be more than fifty years before someone else will again touch the Moon. Full Resolution Date – ~04:10 UTC, 16 Dec 1972 Lens – Zeiss Sonnar ƒ-5.6/250mm Code – AS17-152-23272 Scan – LPI (not online) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/1615641878076-TMF98XUJ1E2135218NOY/AS17-152-23273.jpg Earth Restored Apollo 17 A surreal crescent earthrise. Taken by the crew of Apollo 17, a day after they had reunited in lunar orbit. They would have no idea that it would be more than fifty years before someone else will again touch the Moon. Full Resolution Date – ~04:10 UTC, 16 Dec 1972 Lens – Zeiss Sonnar ƒ-5.6/250mm Code – AS17-152-23273 Scan – LPI (not online) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/1615641878074-TMDPAW601XDNXDFW84HE/AS17-152-23274.jpg Earth Restored Apollo 17 A surreal crescent earthrise. Taken by the crew of Apollo 17, a day after they had reunited in lunar orbit. They would have no idea that it would be more than fifty years before someone else will again touch the Moon. Full Resolution Date – ~04:10 UTC, 16 Dec 1972 Lens – Zeiss Sonnar ƒ-5.6/250mm Code – AS17-152-23274 Scan – LPI (not online) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/1615641925176-BJ3QA3GEOCPCUKFQY14A/AS17-152-23275.jpg Earth Restored Apollo 17 A surreal crescent earthrise. Taken by the crew of Apollo 17, a day after they had reunited in lunar orbit. They would have no idea that it would be more than fifty years before someone else will again touch the Moon. Full Resolution Date – ~04:10 UTC, 16 Dec 1972 Lens – Zeiss Sonnar ƒ-5.6/250mm Code – AS17-152-23275 Scan – LPI (not online) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/1615641886850-85XO6AYW4AOJGSUN9AJ1/AS17-152-23278.jpg Earth Restored Apollo 17 A rare sequence capturing an earthset. The Earth disappears behind an unlit lunar horizon—consumed in the darkness. Full Resolution Date – ~15:25 UTC, 16 December 1972 Lens – Zeiss Sonnar ƒ-5.6/250mm Code – AS17-152-23278 Scan – LPI (not online) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/1615641892699-ATOW3HN6QOFEGPJW6D2O/AS17-152-23279.jpg Earth Restored Apollo 17 A rare sequence capturing an earthset. The Earth disappears behind an unlit lunar horizon—consumed in the darkness. Full Resolution Date – ~15:25 UTC, 16 December 1972 Lens – Zeiss Sonnar ƒ-5.6/250mm Code – AS17-152-23279 Scan – LPI (not online) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/1615641899453-VXT1442FO5U2KMMDJ63M/AS17-152-23280.jpg Earth Restored Apollo 17 A rare sequence capturing an earthset. The Earth disappears behind an unlit lunar horizon—consumed in the darkness. Full Resolution Date – ~15:25 UTC, 16 December 1972 Lens – Zeiss Sonnar ƒ-5.6/250mm Code – AS17-152-23280 Scan – LPI (not online) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/1615641905625-QNKX2DL1DJOHC7GXHDQR/AS17-152-23281.jpg Earth Restored Apollo 17 A rare sequence capturing an earthset. The Earth disappears behind an unlit lunar horizon—consumed in the darkness. Full Resolution Date – ~15:25 UTC, 16 December 1972 Lens – Zeiss Sonnar ƒ-5.6/250mm Code – AS17-152-23281 Scan – LPI (not online) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/1615641917625-1TPVT29RZA49H0VGAXQJ/AS17-152-23420.jpg Earth Restored Apollo 17 The last photograph of the whole Earth taken by human hands. At least for now. It was captured by the crew of Apollo 17 as they returned home. 'You have to literally just pinch yourself and ask yourself the question, silently: Do you know where you are at this point in time and space, and in reality and in existence, when you can look out the window and you’re looking at the most beautiful star in the heavens—the most beautiful because it’s the one we understand and we know, it’s home, it’s people, family, love, life—and besides that it is beautiful. You can see from pole to pole and across oceans and continents and you can watch it turn and there’s no strings holding it up, and it’s moving in a blackness that is almost beyond conception.' — Eugene Cernan, Apollo 10 & 17 Full Resolution Date – ~23:00 UTC, 17 Dec 1972 Lens – Zeiss Sonnar ƒ-5.6/250mm Code – AS17-152-23420 Scan – LPI (not online) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/1603054812507-66JKDXBQ7HRYSM2G2LTW/Saturn+backlit+%28true+colour%29.jpg Earth Restored https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/1603054903877-JV5TGC5EW6LDGBNQTU81/Saturn+southern+winter.jpg Earth Restored https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/1602665206364-K1I33IY9A6DPDOI8M13O/Earth+Orbits.png Earth Restored https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/1611692343995-M3KFL7NPK5H7MRJSSIVB/AS13-60-8592+raw+demonstration.jpg Earth Restored Unprocessed scan from JSC https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/1603053808041-GCO2JNF1VA6MNZFU9AUA/AS11-36-5339+raw+demonstration.jpg Earth Restored Unprocessed scan from LPI https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/1603196909297-ZIEMNJN0YBZRJTMTHKY1/AS12-51-7526+restoration.png Earth Restored Restoration: before & after. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/1603214800774-E7J1QDIHO5B10KM6YPPJ/image-asset.png Earth Restored https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/1610315713054-VHXZKK3FQUSQ188PV4B0/Blue+White+Brown Earth Restored https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/1610315746773-BDZ8NA0BFBZ6PUVXDURN/Crescent+Earth Earth Restored https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/562652dbe4b05bbfdc596fd7/1602263358302-3GQNO4YD9N4EKE2GQDS0/Precipice+Hachette.png Earth Restored https://www.tobyord.com/writings daily 0.75 2026-03-19 https://www.tobyord.com/black-hole daily 0.75 2024-09-15 https://www.tobyord.com/brickwork daily 0.75 2025-12-01