[Apollo 12] Fantastic lunar sunrise over Crater Copernicus, from the LM Intrepid...

[Apollo 12] Fantastic lunar sunrise over Crater Copernicus, from the LM Intrepid about to descend to the lunar surface. Pete Conrad or Alan Bean, November 14–24, 1969. Printed 1969. Vintage chromogenic print on fiber-based textured GAF paper [NASA image AS12–47-6876]. 20.3×25.4 cm (8×10 in), blank on the verso.

Literature: LIFE, November 1969, p. 36–37; Moon: Man’s Greatest Adventure, Thomas, ed., p. 226; Apollo 12 Preliminary Science Report (NASA SP-235), p. 17 (variant).

One of the most beautiful photographs ever captured from lunar orbit, this view of Copernicus truly astonished the crew (see mission transcript). It is a high-oblique wide-angle view looking northeast taken from the LM “Intrepid” with the 60mm lens while it was still docked with the CSM “Yankee Clipper” on orbit 12 prior to landing. The 48-km Crater Reinhold is in the dark in the foreground with the 26-km Reinhold B beyond it; near the horizon in full view is the large Crater Copernicus, measuring 93 km from rim to rim. The Carpathian Mountain Range is visible on the horizon. The stark lunar relief is accented by the low Sun elevation angle.

From the mission transcript when the photograph was taken:

106:32:02 Conrad: Boy, oh boy, Houston. Do we have a fantastic view of Copernicus. [...] 106:32:29 Conrad: Hey, Dick. I don’t know if you can see it, but if you can, you ought to take a look at Copernicus there. That is really something else. And we owe him an 06, 20, whenever he gets stopped. 106:32:51 Gordon: I’m just looking at Copernicus. Houston, let me know when you got the data. 106:32:58 Conrad: Isn’t that something? 106:32:59 Carr (Mission Control): Roger, Clipper. 106:33:00 Bean: Sure is. [...] 106:33:42 Gordon: Pretty nice down here, Pete. 106:33:46 Conrad: I hope so. 106:33:56 Conrad: Boy, I tell you; I can’t get over Copernicus. Houston, that - there’s nothing on any other part of the Moon that we’ve seen since we’ve been here that even looks like that.

Condition Report:Very minor softening to edges, otherwise excellent condition.

Please notice: Supplementary material not included.

Category:Photos ▸ Vintage photographs