[Apollo 11] The historic first lunar landing: view of a crater on...

[Apollo 11] The historic first lunar landing: view of a crater on the lunar surface from the LM Eagle Commander window just after the landing. Neil Armstrong, 16–24 July 1969. Printed 1969. Vintage chromogenic print on heavy fiber-based GAF paper [NASA image AS11–37-5452]. 25.4 × 20.3 cm (10×8in), blank on the verso, numbered “NASA AS11–37-5452” in blue in top margin (NASA / United States Geological Survey, Flagstaff, Arizona).

One of the very first photographs taken by Neil Armstrong from the LM standing on the surface of another world, a photograph of extreme rarity and incredible historic importance.

It is the fourth frame (from the first panoramic sequence) taken on the Moon just after landing by Neil Armstrong from his LM Commander window with the Hasselblad IVA (Intra Vehicular Activity) 500EL camera and color magazine 37/R, showing the so called “Double Crater” on the surface at Tranquility Base seen towards the left/South with a thruster of the LM Eagle on the foreground.

“In my view, the emotional moment was the landing. That was human contact with the Moon, the landing.” Neil Armstrong (Chaikin, Voices, p. 58).

From the mission transcript just after landing: 102:45:40 Aldrin: Contact Light. 102:45:43 Armstrong: Shutdown 102:45:44 Aldrin: Okay. Engine Stop. 102:45:45 Aldrin: ACA out of Detent. 102:45:46 Armstrong: Out of Detent. Auto. 102:45:47 Aldrin: Mode Control, both Auto. Descent Engine Command Override, Off. Engine Arm, Off. 413 is in. 102:45:57 Duke (Mission Control): We copy you down, Eagle. 102:45:58 Armstrong: Engine arm is off. (Pause) Houston, Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed. 102:46:06 Duke: Roger, Twan...(correcting himself) Tranquility. We copy you on the ground. You got a bunch of guys about to turn blue. We’re breathing again. Thanks a lot. 102:46:16 Aldrin: Thank you.

Condition Report:Excellent condition.

Category:Photos ▸ Vintage photographs