[Apollo 8] The first human-taken photograph of the whole Moon from a...

[Apollo 8] The first human-taken photograph of the whole Moon from a perspective not visible from Earth. William Anders, 21–27 December 1968. Printed 1968. Vintage chromogenic print on fiber-based Kodak paper [NASA image AS8–14-2506, inverted]. 25.4×20.3 cm (10×8 in), with “A Kodak Paper” watermarks on the verso.

Literature: LIFE, 10 January 1969, ppg. 26–27; National Geographic, May 1969, ppg. 622–623; TIME, 10 January 1969, pg. 43; The View from Space: American Astronaut Photography, 1962–1972, Schick and Van Haaften, pg. 96.

Soon after the first trans Earth injection performed by a manned spacecraft, the Apollo 8 astronauts became the first humans to witness this extraordinary view of the Moon’s sphere in an orientation that is not seen by terrestrial observers, from above its eastern limb.

During their 20 hours in lunar orbit the crew captured close-ups of the desolate world from an altitude of about 60 nautical miles. However, due to their arrival in the shadow of the Moon, it is only at the beginning of their homeward journey that they were offered such unprecedented views of the Moon’s sphere in an orientation that is not seen by terrestrial observers.

William Anders took this historic first photograph of the whole Moon from a perspective not visible by terrestrial observers from above its eastern limb. Familiar frontside features such as the Sea of Tranquility, Fertility, Crises, and Nectar are easily identified. Features near the east limb as viewed from Earth, such as the Southern Sea, Smyth’s Sea, Border Sea, and the Crater Humboldt, can be viewed without extreme foreshortening. Lunar farside features occupy most of the left half of the picture.

“I think the Moon resembled what the Earth must’ve looked like before there was life. Or what it could look like after an all-out nuclear war.” Frank Borman (Chaikin, Voices, p. 45).

Condition Report:Very minor irregularities to glossy surface near top edge, traces of paper accretion to verso, otherwise nice glossy print and excellent condition.

Please notice: Supplementary material not included

Category:Photos ▸ Vintage photographs