                        Astronomy Picture of the Day

    Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our
      fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation
                    written by a professional astronomer.

                                 2021 May 3

                      Apollo 11: Earth, Moon, Spaceship
            Image Credit: NASA, Apollo 11; Restoration - Toby Ord

   Explanation: After the most famous voyage of modern times, it was time
   to go home. After proving that humanity has the ability to go beyond
   the confines of planet Earth, the first humans to walk on another world
   -- Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin -- flew the ascent stage of their
   Lunar Module back to meet Michael Collins in the moon-orbiting Command
   and Service Module. Pictured here on 1969 July 21 and recently
   digitally restored, the ascending spaceship was captured by Collins
   making its approach, with the Moon below, and Earth far in the
   distance. The smooth, dark area on the lunar surface is Mare Smythii
   located just below the equator on the extreme eastern edge of the
   Moon's near side. It is said of this iconic image that every person but
   one was in front of the camera.

                     - NASA Remembers Michael Collins -
                Tomorrow's picture: another triple alignment
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       Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)
            NASA Official: Phillip Newman Specific rights apply.
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                      A service of: ASD at NASA / GSFC
                             & Michigan Tech. U.

