NSSDCA ID: 1972-096A-05
Mission Name: Apollo 17 Command and Service Module (CSM)The purposes of the handheld photography experiment were (1) to obtain photographs of lunar surface features of scientific interest from lunar orbit and during translunar coast and (2) to obtain low-brightness photographs of astronomical and terrestrial sources. The lunar surface target photographs included specific segments taken in earthshine and low light levels near the terminator to complement the photographs obtained by the panoramic and metric (mapping) cameras. Photographs of dim light phenomena such as the diffuse galactic light from selected celestial subjects, the solar corona, and the zodiacal light were acquired from orbit. Comets in the appropriate combination of trajectory and celestial conditions were also to be photographed. The equipment used included a 16-mm data acquisition camera (DAC) with an 18-mm focal length lens (a sextant was used with this camera for comet photography), a 70-mm Hasselblad electric camera with 80-mm and 25-mm focal length lenses, and a 35-mm Nikon camera with a 55-mm focal length lens. No comets were observed.
Questions and comments about this experiment can be directed to: Dr. David R. Williams
Name | Role | Original Affiliation | |
---|---|---|---|
Dr. Frederick J. Doyle | Principal Investigator | US Geological Survey |