441. [Apollo 17] THE FINAL EARTHRISE: a poetic crescent Earth above the Moon's dramatic horizon Ronald Evans, 7-19 December 1972 Printed 1972-1973. Vintage chromogenic print on early resin coated GAF Paper [NASA image AS17-152-23274]. With NASA caption numbered "72-H-1631", "72-HC-977", "G-73-5364", and "GAF" watermark on the reverse (issued by NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland). 20.3 x 25.4 cm. (8 x 10 in.) Historical context The final Earthrise photographed by humans.Among the views of Earth captured from lunar orbit, the crescent Earth visible during Apollo 17 is widely regarded as "the most lyrical version of that phenomenon, a poetic coda to the first manned period of exploration" (Schick and Van Haaften, p. 120). This sublime image embodies the philosophical significance of space exploration and serves as a poignant symbol of the end of the Apollo era—the first great chapter in humanity's journey beyond Earth. Using the 250mm telephoto lens and magazine 152/PP, this image was shot by Ronald Evans from an altitude of 113 km over the 51-km Crater Ritz during the 66th revolution of the spacecraft around the Moon. *"I look at that Earthrise. How can I sit here and tell you about it without first showing you a picture? You've got a whole historical drama, if you will, in photographs of something that most people still consider an incredible venture."* —Eugene Cernan (Schick and Van Haaften, p. 125) From the mission transcript when the photograph was taken: 217:20:19 Evans: Houston, America. Looks like we're with you again. 217:20:23 Mission Control: Okay, America. 217:20:23 Evans: We've been taking its picture (the Earth) just as we came up. Literature National Geographic, December 1973, ppg. 306-307 The View from Space: American Astronaut Photography, 1962–1972, Schick and Van Haaften, p. 125 Space: A History of Space Exploration in Photographs, Chaikin, p. 137 Chaikin, A Man on the Moon, p. 260 Apollo: The Epic Journey to the Moon, Reynolds, pp. 210-11 Apollo: through the eyes of the astronauts, Jacobs, ed., p.124 : APOLLO 17 LUNAR MISSION 1972 " ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS " NASA DOCUMENTARY 17694