When Earth is seen as a white ball with not much detail from space, it is primarily due to a combination of several factors:
Atmosphere: The Earth's atmosphere scatters sunlight in all directions, and this scattering is more pronounced for shorter-wavelength light, such as blue and green. As a result, when viewed from space, the Earth appears predominantly blue due to the scattering of sunlight by the atmosphere. This bluish hue can contribute to the perception of Earth as a white ball, especially when viewed from a distance.
Cloud Cover: Clouds often cover a significant portion of the Earth's surface, especially when observed from space. The white color of clouds can further contribute to the overall white appearance of the Earth.
Sunlight Reflection: The Earth's surface reflects sunlight, but the amount of reflection depends on the type of surface. Different surfaces, such as land, water bodies, and polar ice caps, have varying reflective properties. However, from a distance, the overall reflection from these surfaces can blend together, resulting in a relatively uniform and less detailed appearance.
Distance and Perspective: When viewing the Earth from space, astronauts and satellites are often at a considerable distance. This distance, combined with the limited resolution of cameras or the human eye, can result in a lack of fine details. Earth's vast oceans, continents, and intricate features may not be discernible at such distances.
It's worth noting that with more advanced imaging technologies, such as high-resolution satellite imagery or close-up photographs taken by astronauts, more details of the Earth's surface can be captured, revealing features like landmasses, cloud formations, and other distinct geographic characteristics.