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Lot 426
[Apollo 17] HARRISON SCHMITT AND THE ROVER AT THE SEP SITE, WITH THE LM CHALLENGER IN THE BACKGROUND Eugene Cernan, 7–19 December 1972, EVA 1
14 – 28 April 2025, 12:00 CEST
Paris, Avenue HocheSold for €563.20 inc. premium
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[Apollo 17] HARRISON SCHMITT AND THE ROVER AT THE SEP SITE, WITH THE LM CHALLENGER IN THE BACKGROUND
Eugene Cernan, 7–19 December 1972, EVA 1
Printed 1972-1973.
Vintage chromogenic print on early resin coated Kodak paper [NASA image AS17-134-20435].
With NASA caption numbered "72-H-1602", "72-HC-947", "G-73-5355" and "A Kodak Paper" watermark on the reverse (issued by NASA Goddard Space Flight Centre, Greenbelt, Maryland).
20.3 x 25.4 cm. (8 x 10 in.)
Historical context
Magnificent lunar vista.
With bright mountains rising above the dark lava plains, the Apollo 17 landing site at Taurus-Littrow offered breathtaking views. This photograph, taken by Eugene Cernan from the end of the east arm of the SEP (Surface Electrical Properties) transmitter array, captures Harrison Schmitt working at the end of the west arm, with the Rover nearby and the Lunar Module Challenger beyond. Also visible in the background are Geophone Rock and the scientific site (ALSEP site).
The challenge of judging distances on the Moon is well illustrated in this image:
The Lunar Rover is just 35 metres away.
Harrison Schmitt stands 70 metres from the camera.
The Lunar Module (LM) Challenger is 150 metres away.
The ALSEP site is positioned at 350 metres.
Beyond the foreground, West Family Mountain, behind the Rover, is 20 km from the LM, while Old Family Mountain (out of frame to the right) is 11 km away. In the far distance, the towering South Massif provides a dramatic backdrop behind the LM, reinforcing the scale of Apollo's final lunar exploration.
Printed 1972-1973.
Vintage chromogenic print on early resin coated Kodak paper [NASA image AS17-134-20435].
With NASA caption numbered "72-H-1602", "72-HC-947", "G-73-5355" and "A Kodak Paper" watermark on the reverse (issued by NASA Goddard Space Flight Centre, Greenbelt, Maryland).
20.3 x 25.4 cm. (8 x 10 in.)
Historical context
Magnificent lunar vista.
With bright mountains rising above the dark lava plains, the Apollo 17 landing site at Taurus-Littrow offered breathtaking views. This photograph, taken by Eugene Cernan from the end of the east arm of the SEP (Surface Electrical Properties) transmitter array, captures Harrison Schmitt working at the end of the west arm, with the Rover nearby and the Lunar Module Challenger beyond. Also visible in the background are Geophone Rock and the scientific site (ALSEP site).
The challenge of judging distances on the Moon is well illustrated in this image:
The Lunar Rover is just 35 metres away.
Harrison Schmitt stands 70 metres from the camera.
The Lunar Module (LM) Challenger is 150 metres away.
The ALSEP site is positioned at 350 metres.
Beyond the foreground, West Family Mountain, behind the Rover, is 20 km from the LM, while Old Family Mountain (out of frame to the right) is 11 km away. In the far distance, the towering South Massif provides a dramatic backdrop behind the LM, reinforcing the scale of Apollo's final lunar exploration.
Footnotes
From the mission transcript when the photograph was taken:
123:00:32 Cernan: Okay, let me back up a skosh and take the slack out. And I would say, offhand...Oh, boy. That's about as close to a one-sixth-g orthogonal...at least, not orthogonal yet, but straight-lined. (Pause) That's it Jack, here. Stay there, and I'll take a picture.
123:01:04 Schmitt: I thought you did.
123:01:05 Cernan: No. Okay, I got it now.
Literature
Apollo through the eyes of the astronauts, Jacobs, p.120
Apollo: The Epic Journey to the Moon, Reynolds, pp. 202-203