... The First Lunar Observatory . ... The first and only lunar astronomical observatory was deployed by the Apollo 16 crew in 1972. ... Apollo 16 spent three days on Earth's Moon in April 1972. The fifth lunar landing mission out of six, Apollo 16 was famous for deploying and using an ultraviolet telescope as the first lunar observatory, and for collecting rocks and data on the mysterious lunar highlands. In the above picture, astronaut John W. The North America Nebula . ... Mir Dreams . ...