Apollo 12, 1969
Taken during the second crewed lunar landing, this Apollo 12 surface photograph captures something above the lunar horizon that didn't have an easy explanation at the time — and apparently still doesn't. The archived version has been annotated to draw attention to a specific area slightly right of center, making it easier to spot what flagged someone's interest in the first place. Fifty-plus years after the mission, it's a reminder that the Apollo program generated more questions than the history books typically mention.
This archival photograph depicts the lunar surface as viewed from the landing site of Apollo 12. This image features a highlighted area of interest slightly to the right of the vertical axis of the frame, above the horizon, in which unidentified phenomena are visible.
This image has been modified from its original state to assist viewers in identifying specific areas of interest. These highlights are provided for contextual purposes only. Such alterations do not constitute an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the nature or significance of the subject matter.