Explanation:
To prepare for the
Apollo landings, five
Lunar
Orbiter spacecraft were launched during 1966 and 1967 to
gather detailed images of our fair planet's large, natural
satellite.
Dramatic views returned by the spacecraft cameras included
this
stark moonscape.
The mosaic of 93 kilometer wide impact crater
Copernicus features
central peaks rising above the crater floor and rugged crater walls.
Note:
As of today,
June 16,
the APOD editors have enjoyed
presenting images from space missions, major observatories,
and professional and amateur cosmic tourists alike
for twelve years.
A sincere thanks to our
web
site operators, translators, and
to all for the gracious email and continued
APOD submissions!
