Apollo 11 landing site, as Armstrong and Aldrin left it some 43 years ago, LROC Narrow Angle Camera (NAC) observation M175124932R , LRO orbit 10942, November 5, 2011; angle of incidence 40.98° at 40 cm per pixel resolution from an altitude of 24 kilometers [NASA/GSFC/Arizona State University]. |
Principal Investigator
Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera
Arizona State University
"Houston, Tranquility base here. The Eagle has landed."
With those words Neil Armstrong let the world know that the Apollo 11 lunar module Eagle had set down safely on the surface of the Moon (20 July 1969). They did it! A nearly impossible task, yet there they were, starkly alone, but in a real sense in front of millions of people back on Earth. Only ten other humans would follow Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin to the lunar surface over the next three years. We have not been back since.
First picture from the surface! First picture taken by a human being on another world. View out the lunar module left window, taken by Armstrong shortly after landing. One of the LM thrusters protrudes into the image at the bottom, scattered light from the Sun appears in the upper left, AS11-37-5449 [NASA]. |
Armstrong collects contingency sample - Armstrong collecting a contingency sample with a specially prepared scoop on a stick. Frame grab from Johnson Space Center digital scan of 16-mm film [NASA]. |
Armstrong stowing sample - Armstrong stowing contingency sample. Frame grab from Johnson Space Center digital scan of 16-mm film [NASA]. |
American flag goes up! Armstrong and Aldrin deploying the American flag. Frame grab from Johnson Space Center digital scan of 16-mm film [NASA]. |
Listen to noted author Andrew Chaikin recall his conversations with Neil Armstrong.
Jump to the NAC frame showing Tranquility base. Scroll through all the LROC images of this historic site.
Previous Apollo 11 LROC Featured Images:
LROC's First Look at the Apollo Landing Sites
Apollo 11: Second Look
High Noon at Tranquility Base
A Stark Beauty All Its Own
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