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2
LUNAR PH3TOGRAPHS FROM APOLLOS 8, 10, and I I
NASA SP-246
LUNAR
PHOTOGRAPHS
FROM APOLLOS 8,10, and
Compiled by
Robert G. Musgrove
NASA Manned Spacecraft Center
PAGE
INTRODUCTION vii
Apollo 8
Apollo 10
Apollo 11
Much of the photography from Apollos 8 and 10 for those features that were used as identification
was oriented operationally; prime photographic tar- points and landmarks for navigation. These designa-
gets were the landing sites and landmarks used for tions are not intended to be submitted to the IAU for
guidance to landing sites. Landmarks of particular consideration.
significance are noted in captions accompanying the A few of the features of the lunar far side have
photographs. been named on the basis of photographs returned
The front side, or Earth-facing hemisphere, of the from the 1959 U.S.S.R. Lunik 3 mission, the first
Moon has been studied and mapped by astronomers mission to photograph the back side of the Moon.
for several centuries, and most of the prominent Later, the U.S. Lunar Orbiter program took extensive
features in this Earth-side region have been named, photographs of the lunar far side. From these Lunar
usually after famous scientists or astronomers. Orbiter photographs, detailed lunar maps have been
Prominent named features shown in the photographs made. Most of the major features of the lunar far
are identified by name in the captions. side have been temporarily assigned numerical desig-
All of the names by which lunar features are nations by the IAU, and the IAU is currently review-
identified must be approved by the International ing names that have been suggested for these features.
Astronomical Union (IAU) . This scientific body At present, however, the majority of lunar far-side
governs the nomenclature of lunar features; any new features 'are unnamed.
or changed designations must be submitted to the Most of the designations of named Punar features
IAU before the new designations can become officially are of classical extraction, and on reference charts and
recognized. maps, these named features are referred to in the
However, the Apollo program injected an entirely classical context. Thus, the Sea of Tranquility is
new, though unofficial, vocabulary into the listings referred to as Mare Tranquillitatis, and the Hyginus
of lunar features. Names such as U.S. 1, Diamond- Rille is designated Rima Hyginus. In this atlas, the
back Rille, and Boot Hill gained prominence in classical denotation will be adhered to, although the
publications and in the news media. The reason for translated or current nomenclature is provided when
the development and use of this Apollo nomenclature ambiguities might occur.
is quite simple. The lunar-surface photographs from Strict geologic or other interpretive terms describing
the mapping missions of Lunar Orbiter produced a the features or terrain shown in the photographs
level of detail that had never before been discernible have been avoided because it is thought that the
--even by the best telescopes on Earth. From Lunar photography in this volume is so significant that the
Orbiter photographs, features as small as 5 m were atlas should reach and appeal to as wide an audience
detectable; before the Lunar Orbiter missions, only as possible. Therefore, captions generally have been
the most powerful telescopes operating under the best restricted to the identification of known features and
atmospheric conditions could resolve objects with unique or peculiar formations or conditions.
dimensions of 2 km. Among the thousands of lunar Because the terminator, the line of demarcation
features and formations that had been unseen or between darkness and sunlight, was at most a few
unidentifiable from Earth, there were distinct or degrees west of the zero meridian during the Apollo
unique features that were especially useful for land- 8, 10, and 11 missions, the photography from these
mark tracking to the landing sites. The IAU could missions is primarily of the eastern hemisphere of
not assign names to these features because of the the Moon. As a result, much of this atlas is comprised
operational time constraints imposed by the Apollo of lunar far-side photography. Therefore, many of
flight schedule. Therefore, the Apollo crewmembers the photographs in this atlas are valuable for updating
and the mission planners selected names arbitrarily existing maps and charts of the lunar far side. ]In ap-
pendix A, indexes of the photography have been
prepared and are presented according to mission. For
each frame in the atlas, the index includes a descrip-
tion of the area of coverage; coordinates of the princi-
pal point; focal length of camera lens; notations on
the Sun elevation and the general type of view,
whether vertical or oblique; and the page on which
the photograph appears in this book. The maps used
in this index were printed by the USAF Aeronautical
Chart and Information Center, St. Louis Mo.
Because the orbital photography taken by all three
missions was similar, integrating the photography
from the missions into a coherent order seemed more
appropriate than attempting to separate the photo-
graphs by mission. However, the mission from which
a photographic frame was selected is easily determined
by the frame number. The prefixes (AS8, AS10, or
AS11) to the frame numbers identify a photograph
as having been taken during Apollo 8, 10, or 11.
For example, AS8-2606 was taken during Apollo 8,
AS 10-4433 during Apollo 10, and AS 11-5903 during
Apollo 11.
For the most part, the photography in this atlas has
been oriented so that north is at the top of each page.
Sometimes this orientation presents a view that is d i i -
cult for the eye to perceive. This situation occurs espe-
cially in high-oblique photographs. In such situations,
the orientation most comfortable to the eye has been
selected.
The onboard cameras for all three missions were
modified Hasselblad 500 EL cameras, with 80-mm
and 250-mm Zeiss panacolor lenses. For certain photo-
graphs of the lunar surface, a 60-mm lens with a
reseau was used. Use of this lens and reseau is appar-
ent in the views that show crosslike fiducial marks. Al-
though several emulsions (including Kodacolor) have
been used experimentally on these missions, the photo-
graphs in this atlas were exposed on SO-368 and
SO-168 (Ektachrome-type emulsions) for color and
SO-168 (Plus X) and 3400 (Panatomic-X emul-
sions) for black and white.
For analytical purposes, black-and-white emulsions
APOLLO 10 have been determined to provide a higher degree of
The Earth as it appears from a dlStanCe of 36 000 n. mi. is resolution and image clarity than the color emulsions
shown here. North America is the dominant landmass, with provide; therefore, much of the orbital photography is
the southwestern regions of the United States and the in black and white. However, most of the photographs
northern areas of Mexico clearly visible. At the lower right,
the outline of the uppermost portion of South America can
taken on the lunar surface by astronauts Neil A.
be distinguished. Armstrong and Edwin E. Aldrin, Jr., were in color.
This high-obliqueview of the lunar far side indudes Mare Smythii
in the lower left and Mare Momviense (Sa of Moscow) near the
horizon at the center top. Note how the rugged terrain of the lunar
landscape near Mare Mosobviense stands out in relief against the
black background.
APOLLO 10 AS10-27-3915
This near-vertical view of Mare Smythii was photographed at a
high Sun elevation. The illumination conditions tend to flatten
out the appearance of the landscape and make smaller craters
; appear as bright points of refleckion.
None of the features in this region has been named; however, the
keyhole-shaped crater was used for training the Apollo 8 crewmen in
landmark tracking. T h e large crater is approximately 20 statute miles
in diameter. Note the range in sizes of craters visible a t the low (7")
Sun elevation.
APOLLO 8 AS^-12-2148
APOLLO 8
Top: This is a southerly looking high-oblique photograph of the lunar
far side. Tlme dalk-floored crater is approximately 40 miles in diameter
ancl lies on the southeastern edge of Mare Australe (Southern Sea).
Nume~ousother large craters can be seen in this legion, including a very
bright ray crater near the horizon a t left.
APOLLO 8
Top: A closer view of the Humboldt crater shows in detail the
interesting linear patterns emanating from the center of the crater.
T h e bright central peaks are characteristic of many lunar craters.
--
relief of the area.
APOLLO 8
--
AS8-14-2401
. Left: Another in the sequence of vertical views, this
heavily cratered area appears forbidding because of
the accentuation of detail at the low Sun elevation.
99
APOLLO 8
-.
The shadow cast by the large protuberance in this far-side view indicates
AS8-14-2409
APOLLO 8
22
I
APOLLO , AS8-14-
Above: The central highland area and a 5-mile-diameter
crater are evident in this low-oblique view of the central
region of a large far-side crater. A recently formed bright
crater and its associated ray system are located in the upper I
I
left region.
APOLLO 8
APOLLO 10
This photograph was taken from the Apollo 10 lunar module, which was
being inspected by the command module pilot. The lunar background in
this view is a portion of the limb region east of Mare Smythii.
APOLLO 10 ASIO-27-3905
38
Left: This view of the south-central
portion of Mare Tranquillitatis illus-
trates the differences in the character
of the mare and the highland regions.
(Compared with the highland areas,
the mare appears quire smooth.) T h e
small, clearly defined crater at left
center is Maskelyne T, which i s ap-
proximately 4 miles in diameter.
Below: This is a high-oblique view,
looking east across Mare Tranquilli-
tatis. T h e landing site for Apolio i l
is near the bottom center of the pic-
ture. T h e crater in the lower right is
Moltke (Prussian general, 1800-1891).
T h e large crater at the upper left is
Maskelyne.
APOLLO 10 ASIO-28-4035
APOLLO 10 Aslo-28-4040
Above: This near-vertical view was taken over the
southern edge of Mare Tranquillitatis. T h e small
bright-rayed crater a t the bottom right corner is
Censorinus (Roman grammarian and mathematician,
ca. A.D. 238). T h e larger crater on the right side of
Censorinus is Censorinus A. T h e diameter of Cen-
sorinus is approximately 5 statute miles. Even a t a
medium Sun elevation, the ray structure associated
with Censorinus is quite apparent.
APOLLO 10
This large far-side crater is approximately 40 miles in diameter. T h e
three smaller craters symmetrically situated on the lower third of the rim
are of interest. The texture of the crater walls is readily seen because
of the ioiv Sun angle.
Riglzt: The large unnamed crater at the
center of this far-side oblique photograph
is approximately 100 miles in diameter.
The rough terrain in this region results
from heavy cratering. A bright-rayed
crater can be seen on the south-central
rim of the large crater.
APOLLO 10
50
This low-altitude oblique photograph of the central portion of a 50-mile-
diameter far-side crater provides a closeup view of the interior structure
of such craters. The prominent mountainous formation at right center is
the central peak of the crater. The crater floor is heavily pockmarked
and contains many hummocky protuberances near the top center.
T o the left, terracing of the inner crater walls is evident.
APOLLO 10
In this view of a far-side double crater, the smaller crater gives the
appearance of having been scalloped out of the lunar surface. The larger.
older crater appears worn in comparison and does not display the sharp
terracing of the smaller crater. The terrain in the background
appears wrinkled under the relatively high Sun elevation.
APOLLO 10
The large, brilliant ray structure of this relatively small far-side crater
implies that the crater is of fairly recent origin. It is thought that rays such
as these are formed by material ejected when a meteorite impact forms
a crater and that the material ejected has not yet been subjected
to the effects of solar erosion and darkening.
Taruntius A, the crater in the center of the photograph, is approximately
10 miles in diameter and is located in the northern portion of Mare
Fccunditatis. Near the edge of the mare, a linear rille and a small
bright-rayed crater (lower right) can be seen.
APOLLO 10 ASIO-304450
The large crater in the foreground is Manners (English naval officer,
1800-1870). and the smaller one at bottom center is Arago B (French
astronomer, 1786-1853). The double crater Ariadaeus (Macedonian king,
died 317 B.C.) and Ariadaeus A are at the terminus of the sinuous Rima
Ariadaeus (Ariadaeus Rille) in the center background. Note how the rille
in the vicinity of the double crater Ariadaeus appears to be
partially filled in.
Above: This is a near-vertical view of a northern portion of
Mare Fecunditatis. The highlands a t the upper left are part
of the rugged terrain that separates Mare Fecunditatis from
Mare Grisium.
APOLLO 10 ASIO-314580
This kicw provides an indication of the size of Rima Hypatia I. Just
beyond the crater Moltke (center) the rille forks; one branch continues
through the mare and the other branch crosses the highlands that mark
the southern boundary of Mare Tranquillitatis.
APOLLO 10 AS10-31-4521
Above: A parallel rille pattern is the outstanding
feature of this oblique view of the southwestern por-
tion of Mare Tranquillitatis. T h e broad rille a t left
is Rima Hypatia I, and the rille passing through the
center of the area is Rima Hypatia 11. At the top
left is the crater Hypatia E.
APOLLO 10
APOLLO 10
l ' h e broad linear rille in this unusual oblique view is Rima Ariadaeus,
which is approximately 3 miles wide. T h e large crater below the rille is
Silberschlag (German astronomer, 1721-91), which is approximately 9
miles in diameter. As can be seen from the photograph, the rille crosses
a variety of terrain (ranging from mare to highland surfaces).
APOLLO 10 AS10-31-4647
T h e large crater a t center is Godin ( F i e ~ ~ cexplorer
h and mathematician,
1704-60). This crater, which is approximately 27 miles in diameter,
is located in the highland region that sepalates Mare Tranquillitatis
from Sinus Medii.
APOLLO 10
The large crater in this far-side oblique photograph is approximately
60 miles in diameter. Of particular interest are the crater chains occurring
in the Boor of this crater and in the rough area at top center. Two
other large craters can be seen near the horizon at top left and top right.
APOLLO 10 AS10-31-4655
Right: A distinct crater chain can be seen running from the top to the
bottom of this far-side oblique photograph. Crater chains of the size
shown in this photograph are rare on the lunar surface and interpreta-
tions as to their cause (i.e., impact or volcanism) vary. At the center
and to the right oE the crater chain is a large, recently formed crater
with a srnallcl crater located on its outer rim.
APOLLO 10 ASIO-33-4914
The two craters seen in this low-altitude oblique photograph are
Theophilus (Saint and Bishop of Alexandria, ca. A.D. 412) in the center
foreground and Cyrillus (Saint, A.D. 444) on the horizon behind
Theophilus. Both craters are quite large (approximately 65 miles in
diameter), and both have extensive terracing of their side walls
and prominent central peaks.
APOLLO 10 AS10-32-4734
Above: The crater in the center of this oblique view is Chladni
(German physicist, 1756-1827), located at the southern tip of
the highlands extending into Sinus Medii. The crater that is
partially visible at the lower right is Triesnecker (Austrian
astronomer, 1745-1817). A highland mountain range is illumi-
nated under the low Sun elevation and stands out against the
blackness of the terminator.
AS10365145
Top: The large bright crater in the center of this view of Mare Fecunditatis is Taruntius
H. This crater, approximately 8 miles in diameter, appears very bright at high Sun
elevations. Tonal variations can be detected on the crater slopes.
Above: The large crater at upper right is Taruntius F, approximately 9 miles in diam-
eter and located in the eastern portion of Mare Tranquillitatis. The texture of the
crater walls is clearly visible in this view. At lower center are several hummocky
features.
This is the crater Ritter (German geographer, 1779-1859), located on the
western edge of Mare Tranquillitatis and approximately 18 miles in
diameter. The interior floor of Ritter shows sharp fracturelike lineaments,
which are emphasized by the heavy shadows cast at low Sun elevations.
APOLLO 10
This is the crater Schmidt (German selenographer, 1825-84), located a t
the western edge of Mare Tranquillitatis, south of crater Ritter and west
of Sabine, and approximately 10 miles in diameter. Themost notable
features of Schmidt are the sharp rim, ray pattern, relatively rough floor,
ahd surrounding hummocky terrain. Numerous boulders, easily resolvable
on a photograph of this scale and quality, can be seen in the area
surrounding the crater and on the crater floor. Most of these boulders
range in size from 68 to 122 m.
APOLLO 10
This view shows a portion of the highlands between Mare Tranquillitatis
and Sinus Medii. The crater at right center is Godin D. The rough terrain
of the highlands area is evident under the low Sun elevation.
APO
The large crater in this lunar far-side view is approximately 100 miles
in diameter. Terracing and a prominent central peak are evident. The
relief, contrasted against the black sky, shows the ruggedness of the
surrounding terrain.
The Apollo 11 lunar module Eagle is shown as it appeared following
separation from the command module. Separation was performed in
preparation for the descent to the lunar surface. The rods protruding from
the footpads are touchdown sensors that shut off the descent engine
automatically when contact is made with the lunar surface.
APQLLO QI AS11-37-5447
APOLLO 11
90
Right: Astronaut Edwin E. (Buzz) Aldrin, Jr., descends the ladder of the
lunar module to the lunar surface for the first time.
Below: Astronaut Aldrin stands near the American flag. Footprints and
the television camera cable are visible in the foreground.
APOLLO 11 AS11-40-5875 APOLLO 11
APOLLO 11 ASll-40-5877
Top: This almost-perfect outline of the traction cleats on the astro-
nauts' boots implies that the lunar soil has a very fine texture. A
more coarse material would not have permitted the appearance
of such a fine detail.
APOLLO 11 AS11-40-5890
Top: T o the right of the center, the television camera keeps a lonely vigil on man's
first activities on the lunar surface. The paths made by the astronauts have uncovered
a p o r t i ~ nof the lunar surface that is darker than the undisturbed surrounding region.
Above: This view looks south across a portion of the rim of a 120-ft-diameter crater.
The interior slopes of this crater are strewn with rocks and boulders. The intense
blackness of shadows on the lunar surface can be seen from the shadows cast by the
crater rim in the foreground of this photograph.
APOLLO 11 ASll-40-5902
Astronaut Aldrin stands looking at the lunar module at Tranquility Base.
The lack of a pronounced footpad imprint demonstrates the overall
firmness of the surface. The scuffed footprints show the extremely fine
granular texture of the lunar soil.
I
A~VLLU IL
--
- ; . "r.
.-r
:
Right: A small duster of rocks, some smooth and others -
, . .. 1
-.".+,
?
+
.
- : . 4 4 , .
.
I
- . ., , - '* -, -
4~
2
. - - .sfit?-
.a".+.:,
sharply angular, can be seen near the center of the land- Sd
- 7
.+- /
.-* *-.
.
% L'
scape. The television camera mounted on its stand and .._. .. .
the power cable leading from the camera to the lunar
module are seen in the background. A crater is at top . ..
-- :F.
-.. >
. -.-- _ .
'
*
L - - -.
'
,-
--
.. .*-*'=.&- 1 .-
I
* - .
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-45 :. . -" , . .J > --.' . '- .a
' y... .. ... . . <*k.-
-- i- "yr'?: &",.",
;*$ -
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.-kLd
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*
APOLLO 11 ASll-40-5907
Top right: Loose surface material disturbed by
the lunar module footpad can be seen piled along
the left side of the footpad. Penetration of the
footpad into the lunar surface appears to have
been minimal. The gold foil wrapping seen on
this and other portions of the lunar module is a
thermal barrier designed to protect the spacecraft
from excessive heat.
Right: This photograph shows the seismometer
and the laser-ranging retroreflector being re-
moved from the storage compartment in the de-
scent stage. These are part of the Early Apollo
Scientific Experiments Package (EASEP), which
is deployed on the lunar surface to send data
about tlie lunar environment back to the Earth.
APOLLO 11
Astronaut Aldrin is shown in this view deploying the seismometer and the laser-ranging retroreflector.
Left:This view shows Tranquility Base and the arrangement of the
scientific experiments. From left to right are the television camera, the
American flag, the laser-ranging retroreflector, and the stereoscopic
camera. The lunar seismic er&iment equipment is visible in the fore-
ground.
APOLLO 11
100
APOLLO 11
This is a closeup view of the laser-ranging retroreflector experiment.
The purpose of this experiment is to reflect back to Earth the laser beams
directed at the reflector from Earth. From data obtained from this
experiment, more precise Earth-to-Moon distances can be determined.
APOLLO 11 ASll-40-5956
This is the plaque that was left on the Moon proclaiming that the Apollo
11 astronauts "came in peace for all mankind."
APOLLO 11 Panorama A
This panorama was taken from the lunar module before extravehicular
activity was begun.
Y
APOLLO 11 Panorama A
This panorama was taken from the lunar module after the historic "Moon
walk."
APOLLO 11 Panorama B
This panorama was taken looking east from the lunar surface.
APOLLO 11 Panorama B
This panorama, taken from the lunar surface, shows the large crater that
was approximately 20 ft east of the lunar module.
APOLLO 11 Panorama C
This panorama was taken looking northwest from the lunar
surface.
APOLLO 11 Panorama C
This panorama was taken looking north from the lunar surface.
APOLLO 11 Panorama C
This panorama was taken looking south from the
lunar surface.
APOLLO 11
ASll-44-6643
APPENDlX A
PHOTOGRAPHIC INDEXES
APOLLO 8
~hot6coverage
In darkness
Focal
Frame no. Description length,
mm
-
Far-side craters- - - - - - - - - - - -- - - 157 W
Far-side crater ------,---------- 162 W
----------.
Far-side crater chain 166 W
Keyhole-shaped crater- - --- ----.. 170 W
Far-side crater ----------------- 170 E
Far-side crater ----------------- 164 E
Far-side crater ----------------- 127 E
Far-side crater..-- --- --- ---- - --- 110 E
Far-side craters-- - - - - - - - - - - _ _ _ . 93 E
South of Mare Smythii- - - - - - - _ 81. E
Mare Tranquillitatis and Mare
Fecunditatis
APOLLO 10
L
Photo coverage
In darkness
-
Princz$al point Focal
length,
s u n angle I view Page
no.
Frame no. Description
Longitude Latitud, m m
-
5956 Central portion of 120-ft- 60
diameter crater
5958 Western portion of 120-ft- 60
diameter crater
5963 Aldrin driving core sampler -- -- 60
-
AS11-44-6581 LM preparing descent- - - - -- - .. 80
6623 LM preparing to rendezvous-- -. 80
-
6643 LM preparing for docking- - - -. 80
Panorama A- - - -Panoramas from the LM ------..
Panorama B __ - -Panoramas from the surface- - - -
-
Panorama C _.._-Panoramas from the surface- - -
APPENDIX B
CREW AND LAUNCH PHOTOGRAPHS
Apollo 8 crew (from left to right): William A. Anders, James A. Lovell, and Frank Borman.
Apollo 10 a e w (from left to right): Eugene A. Geman,John W. Young, and Thomas P. Stafford.
Apollo 11 crew (from left to rigfit): Neil A. Annstrong, Michael Callins, and Edwin E.
Aldrin. Jr.
To the Moon. S-69-19268