Obituary: William Anders, Apollo 8 Moon Pioneer 2024

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Bill Anders, Photographer of Iconic Earthrise Photo, Dies at 90



Bill Anders, Photographer of Iconic Earthrise Photo, Dies at 90

Bill Anders, the astronaut who took the iconic Earthrise photograph during the Apollo 8 mission to orbit the moon, has died at 90. The image, taken on December 24, 1968, is one of the most famous images in the history of space exploration.

The Earthrise Photograph

The Earthrise photograph was taken as Apollo 8 was orbiting the moon. Anders had brought a Hasselblad camera with him on the mission, and he had been experimenting with taking photographs of the moon and the Earth. On December 24, he snapped the Earthrise photograph, which captured the Earth rising above the moon’s horizon. The image was a stunning reminder of the beauty and fragility of our planet, and it helped to inspire the environmental movement.

Apollo 8 Mission

The Apollo 8 mission was the first crewed mission to orbit the moon. The mission was launched on December 21, 1968, and it lasted for six days. The crew of Apollo 8 consisted of Frank Borman, Jim Lovell, and Bill Anders. The mission was a success, and it paved the way for the Apollo 11 mission, which landed the first humans on the moon.

Legacy

Bill Anders’s Earthrise photograph is one of the most iconic images in the history of space exploration. The image has been used in countless books, articles, and films. It has also been used to inspire the environmental movement and to promote peace and understanding among the peoples of the world.

Bill Anders was a true pioneer in space exploration. He was a brilliant astronaut, a talented photographer, and a passionate advocate for the environment. He will be remembered for his contributions to space exploration and for his iconic Earthrise photograph.



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