214. [Apollo 10] MAGNIFICENT EARTHRISE John Young, 18-26 May 1969 Printed 1969. Vintage chromogenic print on fibre-based Kodak paper [NASA image AS10-27-3890]. Numbered "NASA AS10-27-3890" in red in the top margin, with "A KODAK PAPER" watermark on the reverse (issued by NASA Manned Spacecraft Centre, Houston, Texas). 25.4 x 20.3 cm. (10 x 8 in.) Historical context The sight of Earthrise following each pass over the lunar far side was absolutely breathtaking for the Apollo 10 crew, who were eager to capture it. Their excitement is evident in the mission transcript: 122:05:57 Stafford: "The Earth. Hit it. Again, baby..." 122:06:00 Young: "Jesus Christ." 122:06:02 Stafford: "Are you aiming at it right now?" 122:06:05 Cernan: "I know where this one is." 122:06:14 Stafford: "Beautiful, Gene-o." This stunning photograph, taken from CSM Charlie Brown on orbit 24 with the 250mm telephoto lens, looks west over Smyth's Sea. LIFE magazine famously described a similar moment, quoting Cernan as he observed Earthrise from LM Snoopy on orbit 13: "Oh, Charlie. We just saw Earthrise and it's got to be magnificent." "To see our home planet from this point of view was absolutely awesome. It was nearly breath-taking. I was reminded of Socrates's saying in 399 B.C., before flight above the ground was theorized: 'A man must rise above the Earth to the top of the atmosphere and beyond, and only thus will he fully understand the world in which he lives." Thomas Stafford (Jacobs, p. 53) From the mission when the photograph was taken: 122:01:58 Stafford: We'll have acquisition from the Earth soon. 122:02:27 Stafford: Now. if that [the colour of the Moon] isn't a tan colour, absolutely tan, I don't know what the hell is. [...] 122:05:52 Cernan: There it is [the Earth]. 122:05:53 Stafford: Hit it, quick. Go, baby, go. 122:05:56 Young: What? 122:05:57 Stafford: The Earth. Hit it. Again, baby... 122:06:00 Young: Jesus Christ. 122:06:02 Stafford: Are you aiming at it right now? 122:06:05 Cernan: I know where this one is. 122:06:14 Stafford: Beautiful, Gene-o. 122:06:16 Cernan: Think I can get... 122:06:17 Young: Sounds like we're about to acquire (radio signal with the Earth). 122:06:28 Cernan: Yes, we are. 122:06:36 Stafford: Might shoot an f:8 - 80 on it. Oh, 250 (mm lens) will be good. Literature LIFE, 6 June 1969, p. 39.