[Apollo 15] HADLEY'S RESEARCH OUTPOST (diptych) James Irwin, 26 July - 7 August 1971, EVA 2 and 3

[Apollo 15] HADLEY'S RESEARCH OUTPOST (diptych) James Irwin, 26 July - 7 August 1971, EVA 2 and 3 Printed 1971. Two vintage chromogenic prints on fibre-based Kodak paper [NASA images AS15-87-11849 and AS15-88-11879]. Numbered 'NASA AS15-87-11849' and 'NASA AS15-88-11879' in red in the top margin, with 'A Kodak Paper' watermark on the reverses (issued by NASA Manned Spacecraft Centre, Houston, Texas). Each: 20.3 x 25.4 cm. (8 x 10 in.) Historical context Pioneering science on the Moon: a laboratory in the scenery of Hadley. This pair of remarkable photographs showcases the complex scientific instruments deployed at the scientific site (ALSEP) site, where David Scott and James Irwin set up an array of automated experiments designed to continue gathering data long after their departure. The shadowy lunar hills beyond, including Hill 305, provide a dramatic backdrop to this moment of scientific advancement. These experiments, powered by a Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (RTG), provided invaluable data on lunar seismic activity, the Moon's tenuous magnetic field, and the composition of the solar wind, shaping our understanding of planetary science. Footnotes: In the first image, taken from close range during EVA 2, the Central Station is prominently featured in the foreground, its gold foil insulation gleaming under the lunar sunlight. The long cable extending into the distance connects the Lunar Surface Magnetometer, which was positioned further away to minimize interference. The second image, taken from a different angle during EVA 3, offers a wider perspective of the ALSEP deployment area, with several key instruments visible across the Hadley plain. Footprints, rover tracks, and scattered deployment materials provide a stark contrast to the otherwise untouched lunar landscape, a testament to the human presence and scientific ambitions of Apollo 15. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing