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Buzz Aldrin Deploying Solar Wind Collector

Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin performed the first manned lunar landing on 20 July, 1969. This photo shows Buzz deploying the SWC. The photo is taken toward the southeast. Buzz is standing flat-footed next to the Solar Wind Collector, (SWC) facing Neil who is at about the 2 o'clock position out from the Lunar Module. In the lower right corner, notice the tracks that the TV cable made as Neil pulled it out. The multiple tracks were made by the individual cable loops scraping along the ground. We can see under the engine bell. Most of the surface in this image has not yet been disturbed, and in the places where Neil and Buzz have walked, the disturbed surface is darker. Good illustration of this very common phenomenon. Jack Schmitt speculates that the Descent Engine plume swept away the smallest particles, leaving a higher than normal percentage of larger particles. The more jagged surface is a better reflector of sunlight than the normal surface and, therefore, appears brighter. Certainly, from orbit, the areas around the landed LM's are brighter than the normal surface. As they walk around, the astronauts disturb this modified surface and, in effect, restore its normal condition.
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Title:
Buzz Aldrin Deploying Solar Wind Collector
Caption:
Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin performed the first manned lunar landing on 20 July, 1969. This photo shows Buzz deploying the SWC. The photo is taken toward the southeast. Buzz is standing flat-footed next to the Solar Wind Collector, (SWC) facing Neil who is at about the 2 o'clock position out from the Lunar Module. In the lower right corner, notice the tracks that the TV cable made as Neil pulled it out. The multiple tracks were made by the individual cable loops scraping along the ground. We can see under the engine bell. Most of the surface in this image has not yet been disturbed, and in the places where Neil and Buzz have walked, the disturbed surface is darker. Good illustration of this very common phenomenon. Jack Schmitt speculates that the Descent Engine plume swept away the smallest particles, leaving a higher than normal percentage of larger particles. The more jagged surface is a better reflector of sunlight than the normal surface and, therefore, appears brighter. Certainly, from orbit, the areas around the landed LM's are brighter than the normal surface. As they walk around, the astronauts disturb this modified surface and, in effect, restore its normal condition.
Category:
Astronomy & Space • History: United States
Credit:
Album / NASA/Science Source
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Image size:
3300 x 3979 px | 37.6 MB
Print size:
27.9 x 33.7 cm | 11.0 x 13.3 in (300 dpi)
Keywords: