[Apollo 11] The surface of another world explored for the first time...

[Apollo 11] The surface of another world explored for the first time by humans: very rare photograph of the lunar horizon at Tranquility Base. Buzz Aldrin [Apollo 11], 16–24 July 1969. Printed 1969. Vintage chromogenic print on fiber-based Kodak paper [NASA image AS11–40-5909]. 20.3×25.4 cm (8×10 in), numbered “NASA AS11–40-5909” in red in top margin, with “A Kodak Paper” watermarks on the verso (NASA Manned Spacecraft Center, Houston, Texas).

An extremely rare frame looking north from the panoramic sequence shot by Buzz Aldrin from the rim of a shallow crater a few meters north of the LM.

“The disappearing of the horizon, it is distinct. There’s no haze, no nothing obscuring it, and that makes distant objects appear clear, very clear. And then there’s the rock, and then there’s nothing. You look out and you see that. Whether you realize it or not, you’re looking at the edge of a ball, and you’re on it. And that sensation was clear as distinctly different than on Earth. It is curving away. Not that it just grabs you immediately that you’re on the knoll of a hill, it’s not that; it’s more than that, but a little bit of intellect and a little bit of everything says, Gee, this is really obvious that it is a sphere that we’re walking on.” Buzz Aldrin (Chaikin, Voices, p. 66).

Condition Report:Excellent condition.

Category:Photos ▸ Vintage photographs