410. [Apollo 16] SHADOW ROCK AT STATION 13 Charles Duke, 16-27 April 1972, EVA 3 Printed 1972. Vintage gelatin silver print on fibre-based paper [NASA image AS16-106-17393]. With NASA caption on the reverse, numbered "NASA AS16-106-17393" in black in the top margin (issued by NASA Manned Spacecraft Centre, Houston, Texas). 25.4 x 20.3 cm. (10 x 8 in). Historical context A boulder fit for the history books. This striking photograph, taken by Charles Duke as part of a panoramic sequence at Station 13, showcases Shadow Rock, a distinctive boulder measuring approximately 5 metres wide and 3 metres high. The site, located about 800 metres from the rim of North Ray Crater near the base of Smoky Mountain (seen in the background), was a key geological stop for Apollo 16. [NASA caption] ON THE MOON---This large boulder was given the nickname, "Shadow Rock," because of the permanently shadowed area noted by the Apollo 16 crewmen during their third extravehicular activity (EVA-3). Astronaut Charles M. Duke Jr., lunar module pilot, took the photograph. When Astronaut John W. Loung, commander, reached under the big rock, Duke remarked, "You do that in West Texas and you get a rattlesnake." One of the most intriguing aspects of Shadow Rock was the permanently shadowed area beneath its deep overhang on the western end, offering scientists a unique opportunity to examine material shielded from direct solar radiation. This shadowed region provided insights into lunar surface processes and potential preservation of volatile compounds. From the mission transcript when the panoramic sequence was taken: 168:18:56 Duke: John, I'm gonna start a pan. (Pause) Going to a little bit more cooling here. 168:19:07 England (Mission Control): Okay. The plan here is a rake soil first, together; and after you've done that, we'd like John to take an LPM (Lunar Portable Magnetometre reading) and, Charlie, you can go sample. 168:19:20 Duke: Okay. Let me get a pan first. Okay? 168:19:24 England: Sounds good.