423. [Apollo 17] HARRISON SCHMITT, THE FIRST SCIENTIST-ASTRONAUT, IN THE VALLEY OF TAURUS-LITTROW AT STATION 1 (NASA's own copy, used and annotated, for the preparation of its final Apollo Science report) Eugene Cernan, 7-19 December 1972, EVA 1 Printed 1972. Vintage chromogenic print on fibre-based Kodak paper [NASA image AS17-134-20425]. With original editorial labels in the white margins on the recto for publication in NASA's Apollo 17 Preliminary Science Report (NASA SP-330), with "A Kodak Paper" watermark and traces of previous mounting on the reverse, numbered "NASA AS17-134-20425" in red in the top margin (issued by NASA Manned Spacecraft Centre, Houston, Texas), together with an original NASA sheet indicating directives and notes (figure 4-30) for publication in the report. 20.3 x 25.4 cm. (8 x 10 in.) Historical context A stunning side portrait of the first scientist-astronaut on the Moon as he conducts his first geological investigations. This remarkable photograph of Harrison Schmitt standing in the extraordinary setting of Taurus-Littrow is a frame from a panoramic sequence captured by Eugene Cernan at Station 1 near Steno Crater. It is NASA's own archival copy, used and annotated for the production of the Apollo 17 Preliminary Science Report (NASA SP-330) on humanity's final voyage to the Moon. [Apollo 17 Preliminary Science Report caption] FIGURE 4-30.-The LMP uses the rake to collect a sample of rocks ranging from 1 to 4 cm in diametre. A soil sample was collected in the same area. The Hasselblad camera is attached to the remote-control unit; the PLSS and the oxygen purge system comprise the backpack (AS17-134-20425). Station 1, located approximately 150 metres from the northwest rim of Steno Crater, provided a unique geological opportunity. Formed by an ancient impact, the crater ejected material from beneath the lunar surface, allowing Apollo 17 astronauts to collect valuable subsurface samples. The vast, rugged terrain of West and Old Family Mountain and the left side of the North Massif rise in the background. From the mission transcript when the photograph was taken: 122:27:08 Schmitt: And, Bob, I'm really only penetrating about, at the most, 3 centimetres into this area with the rake. I've picked up a very good sample of boulders (fragments) but most of them were in that distance of the surface and projecting out of it. 122:27:28 Parker (Mission Control): Okay; I copy that. 122:27:31 Schmitt: You ready, Gene? 122:27:33 Cernan: A couple of more (pictures), Jack. (Pause) Okay, coming at you (with a sample bag). Bob, the pan is complete. I'll give you a frame count shortly. Literature National Geographic, September 1973, p. 296 Apollo: The Epic Journey to the Moon, Reynolds, p. 204 Apollo 17 Preliminary Science Report (NASA SP-330), figure 4-30 : APOLLO 17 LUNAR MISSION 1972 " ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS " NASA DOCUMENTARY 17694