334: The LM Antares reflecting a jewel-like circular flare, Alan Shepard [Apollo 14], 31 January - 9 February 1971, EVA 1 < One Giant Leap for Mankind: Vintage Photographs from the Victor Martin-Malburet Collection, 28 October 2022 < Auctions

This frame from the 360° panoramic sequence of the landing site was taken by Alan Shepard “facing directly towards the 12 o’clock LM strut, which is the leg to which the ladder is attached, directly below the hatch.

A huge glare is bouncing from the roof of the LM Antares from the Sun which is directly overhead and slightly behind the spacecraft. The tilt is visible in the angle that the LM came to rest” (Constantine, ppg. 52-53).

Unfiltered by any atmosphere, the Sun as seen from the lunar surface is more brilliant than on Earth. The LM landed with the Sun at their back, so that the astronauts’ view of the lunar surface was not impeded by glare. Consequently it was difficult to photograph a LM’s front face after landing. (Bizony, p.136)

This unusual ball of light on the LM was said by astronauts to have a jewel-like appearance.

“In retrospect, I think it is even more amazing now than it was then. Imagine, going to another planet! With these fragile, primitive, little craft that we used then.”

—Edgar Mitchell (from the ALSJ mission transcript at 141:53:01 GET)

A front view of the Apollo 14 Lunar Module (LM), which reflects a circular flare caused by the brilliant sun, as seen by the two moon-exploring crew men of the Apollo 14 lunar landing mission during their first extravehicular activity (EVA). The unusual ball of light was said by the astronauts to have a jewel-like appearance. At the extreme left the lower slope of Cone Crater can be seen. Astronauts Alan B. Shepard Jr., commander; and Edgar D. Mitchell, lunar module pilot; descended in the LM, while astronaut Stuart A. Roosa, command module pilot; remained with the Command and Service Modules (CSM) in lunar orbit. [NASA caption]

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The LM Antares reflecting a jewel-like circular flare, Alan Shepard [Apollo 14], 31 January - 9 February 1971, EVA 1

The LM Antares reflecting a jewel-like circular flare, Alan Shepard [Apollo 14], 31 January - 9 February 1971, EVA 1

This frame from the 360° panoramic sequence of the landing site was taken by Alan Shepard “facing directly towards the 12 o’clock LM strut, which is the leg to which the ladder is attached, directly below the hatch.

“In retrospect, I think it is even more amazing now than it was then. Imagine, going to another planet! With these fragile, primitive, little craft that we used then.”

—Edgar Mitchell (from the ALSJ mission transcript at 141:53:01 GET)

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