Christmas Eve, 1968: Apollo 8 is in orbit around the Moon with astronauts Frank Borman, Jim Lovell, and Bill Anders aboard. At about 75 hours into the mission, something amazing happened:
Earthrise
The following is a transcript from the Apollo Flight Journal:
075:47:30 Borman or Anders (onboard): Oh, my God! Look at that picture over there! Here's the Earth coming up. Wow, is that pretty!
075:47:37 Anders or Borman (onboard): Hey, don't take that, it's not scheduled. (Chuckle.)
075:47:39 Borman (onboard): [Laughter] You got a color film, Jim?
075:47:46 Anders (onboard): Hand me that roll of color quick, will you...
075:47:48 Lovell (onboard): Oh man, that's great!
Unknowingly, the surprised and ecstatic astronauts snapped what is now one of the most iconic images of the 20th century. I thought I'd just post this little tidbit of info and the screenshot here to show what's on my mind every year when Christmas Eve rolls around. Happy Holidays everyone! :thumbup: