Four (4) original large-format vintage gelatin silver prints on matte paper from NASA's Second Lunar Orbiter mission, launch date November 6, 1966. The photographs are designated II-158M, II-159M, II-162H1, and II-162H2 lower left. A total of 215 sets of photographs were planned for the second orbiter mission in 1966, each consisting of one medium-resolution image and three high-resolution images of the same area. Images 158M and 159M feature the lunar plains approximately 100 km West of Reinhold Crater. Images 162H1 and 162H2 show a low, oblique angled view of the binary craters of Fauth and Fauth A, and the plains surrounding them, looking Northward. Unframed. Sheets measure 24" H x 20" W.
Note: "Five Lunar Orbiter missions were launched in 1966 through 1967 with the purpose of mapping the lunar surface before the Apollo landings. All five missions were successful, and 99% of the Moon was photographed with a resolution of 60 m or better. The first three missions were dedicated to imaging 20 potential lunar landing sites, selected based on Earth-based observations.
The Lunar Orbiters had an ingenious imaging system, which consisted of a dual-lens camera, a film processing unit, a readout scanner, and a film handling apparatus. Both lenses, a 610-mm narrow angle high-resolution (H) lens and an 80-mm wide-angle medium resolution (M) lens, placed their frame exposures on a single roll of 70 mm film. The axes of the two cameras were coincident so the area imaged in the HR frames were centered within the Medium Resolution frame areas. The film was moved during exposure to compensate for the spacecraft velocity, which was estimated by an electric-optical sensor. The film was then processed, scanned, and the images transmitted back to Earth.
Launch: 6 November 1966
Imaged Moon: 18-25 November 1966
Lunar Orbiter 2’s mission was to photograph 13 primary and 17 secondary landing sites for the Apollo program in the northern region of the Moon’s near side equatorial area." (Source: NASA.gov)
Condition
Each in very good condition with slight wrinkling, predominately on edges, a few corners with handling creases.
Provenance
Private Knoxville collection. Consignor previously worked in the planetary science field in Houston, TX.
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