Planet Earth

 



The image of the planet Earth taken by the astronauts of Apollo 17 as they left the earth's orbit in route to the moon.  Apollo 17 was NASA's last lunar landing mission.  This translunar coast photograph extends from the Mediterranean Sea area to  the Antarctica south polar ice cap.  This is the first time the Apollo trajectory made it possible to photograph the south polar ice cap.  Note the heavy cloud cover in the southern hemisphere.  Almost the entire coastline of Africa is clearly visible.  The Arabian Peninsula can be seen at the northeastern edge of Africa.  The large island off the coast of Africa is the  Malagasy Republic.  The Asian mainland is on the horizon toward the northeast.  Photo taken 7 December 1972.   Probably the most requested picture of the Earth.   NASA Photo ID: AS17-148-22727

 

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