24 December 2008
Earthrise
This is a photograph taken by astronauts, showing Earthrise over the horizon of the Moon, during the Apollo 8 Mission.
Credit: NASA
Earthrise is the name given to a historic NASA image, taken by astronaut William Anders, during the Apollo 8 mission, the first manned space mission to orbit the Moon.
The photograph was taken from lunar orbit on 24 December 1968. Initially, before finding a suitable 70 mm color film, a black and white photo of the view was taken, with Earth still being much nearer to the lunar horizon.
The Apollo 8 Crew
From right, Borman, Lovell and Anders
Credit: NASA
Apollo 8 was launched toward the Moon on 21 December 1968, and returned safely to Earth on 28 December 1968. The crew of Apollo 8 was Commander Frank Borman, Command Module Pilot James Lovell and Lunar Module Pilot William Anders. They became the first astronauts to venture beyond Earth orbit, and orbit the Moon. They were also the first astronauts to be flown into space aboard the mighty Saturn V rocket.
As the Moon keeps the same side turned to Earth, Earthrise is not generally visible from the lunar surface. Earthrise can be observed only when orbiting the Moon, or from particular locations on the Moon's surface, near the lunar limb, where, due to the dynamical effect of libration, Earth swings slightly above and below the lunar horizon.
Further Reading
NASA
www.nasa.gov/
Aymen Mohamed Ibrahem
Senior Astronomy Specialist