[Apollo 17] HARRISON SCHMITT AT TRACY'S ROCK, STATION 6 Eugene Cernan, 7–19 December 1972,...

[Apollo 17] HARRISON SCHMITT AT TRACY'S ROCK, STATION 6 Eugene Cernan, 7–19 December 1972, EVA 3 Printed 1972-1973. Vintage chromogenic print on early resin coated Kodak paper [NASA image AS17-140-21496]. With NASA caption numbered '72-H-1581', '72-HC-931', 'G-73-5353' and 'AS17-140-21496' as well as 'A Kodak Paper' watermark on the reverse (issued by NASA Goddard Space Flight Centre, Greenbelt, Maryland). 20.3 x 25.4 cm. (8 x 10 in.) Historical context Truly Otherworldly Landscape. A magnificent frame from the panoramic sequence taken at Station 6 by Eugene Cernan, upslope from Tracy's Rock. Station 6, positioned on the southern slope of the North Massif, 50 metres above the floor of the Taurus-Littrow Valley, provided an overwhelming vantage point—so much so that the astronauts could even see the distant Lunar Module (see mission transcript). 'A panorama of lunar history is captured in this view looking south over the Valley of Taurus-Littrow. A huge fragmented boulder had rolled almost a mile down the side of the North Massif to here, Station 6 on our traverse. Our LM and its light area of surface alteration can be seen on the photo about an inch to the right of the top point of the boulder. That's me at the left. Note the marks of my sampling scoop on the debris resting on a slanting surface of the boulder at left.' —Harrison Schmitt (NASA SP-350, pp. 284-285) Footnotes: The imposing split boulder seen here was named the Station 6 Boulder, or Tracy's Rock, in honour of Cernan's daughter, who was nine years old at the time of the mission. So large that it was visible from lunar orbit, the boulder had tumbled nearly a mile down from the North Massif before coming to rest at this location. Harrison Schmitt, carrying the gnomon, has just finished sampling and collecting fragments from its surface, with his marks still visible in the lunar dust. The breathtaking backdrop features the East Massif (left) and Bear Mountain (right), forming the distant skyline. From the mission transcript when the photograph was taken (at T+165:34:53 after launch): 165:34:53 Cernan: Oh, and there's Challenger! Holy Smoley! You know, Jack, when we finish with Station 8, we will have covered this whole valley from corner to corner! 165:35:18 Schmitt: That was the idea. Watch more CLICK HERE : APOLLO 17 LUNAR MISSION 1972 ' ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS ' NASA DOCUMENTARY 17694 For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing