Subsequently, one may also ask, what was the greatest significance of the Earthrise images taken on Christmas Eve 1968?
But their true legacy revealed itself three days later, on December 30, 1968, when NASA released an image taken on Christmas Eve that shows our home planet suspended above the moon. Now called Earthrise, the image is legendary; a postcard from the first souls to truly leave Earth behind.
Additionally, what was the most important Apollo mission? Lunar Landing MissionApollo 11 achieved its primary mission - to perform a manned lunar landing and return the mission safely to Earth - and paved the way for the Apollo lunar landing missions to follow.
Subsequently, one may also ask, why was the Earthrise photo so significant?
Earthrise is a photograph of Earth and some of the Moon's surface that was taken from lunar orbit by astronaut William Anders on December 24, 1968, during the Apollo 8 mission. Nature photographer Galen Rowell declared it "the most influential environmental photograph ever taken".
What was special about the image of Earth that Scientific American published on Christmas 1968?
Image of the Day GalleryThirty-five years ago this Christmas, a turbulent world looked to the heavens for a unique view of our home planet. This photo of "Earthrise" over the lunar horizon was taken by the Apollo 8 crew in December 1968, showing Earth for the first time as it appears from deep space.