342. [Apollo 14] THE LM ANTARES REFLECTING A 'JEWEL-LIKE' CIRCULAR FLARE Alan Shepard, 31 January - 9 February 1971, EVA 1 Printed 1971. Vintage chromogenic print on early resin coated Kodak paper [NASA image AS14-66-9306]. With "A Kodak Paper" watermark on the reverse (issued by NASA). 20.3 x 25.4 cm. (8 x 10 in.) Historical context A dazzling jewel-like glare on the LM Antares. This striking image from Alan Shepard's 12 o'clock panoramic sequence of the landing site captures Antares bathed in sunlight. A brilliant glare reflects off the LM's roof, creating an unusual ball of light that astronauts described as having a jewel-like appearance. At the far left, the lower slope of Cone Crater—the key exploration site of Apollo 14—is visible. With no atmosphere to scatter sunlight, the lunar surface is starkly illuminated, making the Sun appear far more intense than on Earth. The Apollo 14 crew landed with the Sun at their backs to prevent glare from obstructing their view of the terrain. This positioning made it particularly difficult to photograph the front of the LM after landing—but here, the result is nothing short of extraordinary. "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 (ALSJ mission transcript at 141:53:01 GET) Literature LIFE, 26 February 1971, pp. 26-27 TIME, 22 February 1971, p. 44 National Geographic, July 1871, pp. 136-138 Space, Chaikin, p. 115 Spacecam, Hope, p. 19 Full Moon, Light, plate 51