[Apollo 11] Spectacular lunar curvature over the sea of Crises on the...

[Apollo 11] Spectacular lunar curvature over the sea of Crises on the second orbit of Apollo 11. Michael Collins, 16–24 July 1969. Printed 1969. Vintage gelatin silver print on fiber-based paper [NASA image AS11–42-6223]. 25.4×20.3 cm (10×8 in), numbered “NASA AS11–42-6223” in black in top margin (NASA Manned Spacecraft Center, Houston, Texas).

This extremely rare Apollo 11 photograph was taken during the first orbit of the Apollo 11 spacecraft around the Moon. It was shot through the 80mm lens with B&W magazine 42/U used only in the CSM Columbia while in lunar orbit and was not released by NASA after the mission. The view is looking northwest showing the southwest border of the Sea of Crises with the 23-km Crater Picard well-defined (center). Latitude / longitude: 10° N / 56° E.

“The Moon I have known all my life, that two dimensional small yellow disk in the sky, has gone away somewhere, to be replaced by the most awesome sphere I have ever seen. To begin with it is huge, completely filling our window. Second, it is three-dimensional. The belly of it bulges out toward us in such a pronounced fashion that I almost feel I can reach out and touch it.” Michael Collins (NASA SP-350, p. 207).

Condition Report:Excellent condition.

Category:Photos ▸ Vintage photographs