Copernicus from Lunar Orbiter

large, rugged impact crater seen nearly edge-on on the lunar horizon
NASA
October 9, 2017
CreditNASA
Language
  • english

To prepare for the Apollo landings, NASA launched five robotic Lunar Orbiter spacecraft during 1966 and 1967 to gather detailed images of the Moon. Dramatic views returned by the spacecraft cameras included this stark moonscape. This mosaic of the 50 mile-wide, or 93 kilometer-wide, impact crater Copernicus features central peaks rising above the crater floor and rugged crater walls.