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Credit & Copyright: The Lunar Orbiter Project,
NASA
Explanation:
The Lunar Orbiter 1 spacecraft was launched in 1966 to
map the lunar surface in
preparation for the
Apollo moon landings.
NASA's plucky robotic explorer performed its job well and pioneered
this classic view of the Earth poised above the lunar horizon.
The first humans to directly witness a
similar scene were the
Apollo 8 astronauts.
As they orbited the Moon in December of 1968 they also recorded
Earth rise in a photograph
that was to become one of the most famous images in history -
a moving portrait of our world from deep space.
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NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: Earth - spacecraft - lunar orbiter - Moon
Publications with words: Earth - spacecraft - lunar orbiter - Moon
See also:
- APOD: 2026 July 29 Á Psyche Receives Gravity Assist from Mars
- APOD: 2026 June 13 Á Interplanetary Earth
- APOD: 2026 May 11 Á Moon Setting Behind Teide Volcano
- APOD: 2026 May 9 Á Messier Craters in Stereo
- APOD: 2026 April 15 Á The ISS Transits the Moon
- APOD: 2026 April 11 Á Artemis II: Flight Day 6
- APOD: 2026 April 4 Á Hello World