360Apollo 8 orbits the Moon and photographs 'Earthrise'
On 24 December 1968, Apollo 8 became the first crewed spacecraft to orbit the Moon. Frank Borman, Jim Lovell and Bill Anders were the first people to see the far side with their own eyes. Anders photographed the Earth rising over the lunar horizon. 'Earthrise' became one of the most famous photographs ever taken.
Apollo 8 was launched on 21 December 1968 on the first crewed flight of the giant Saturn V rocket. NASA had changed the plan to send it all the way to the Moon.
After three days, it entered lunar orbit on 24 December. The crew circled the Moon ten times, photographing possible landing sites.
On the fourth orbit, the Earth appeared over the grey lunar horizon. Bill Anders grabbed a camera loaded with colour film and took the picture now known as 'Earthrise': a small blue and white planet floating in black space.
The photograph helped inspire the environmental movement, showing how fragile and alone the Earth is. Apollo 8 returned safely on 27 December, and seven months later Apollo 11 landed on the Moon.
- 21 December 1968
- Apollo 8 launches
- 24 December 1968
- It enters lunar orbit; 'Earthrise' is taken
- 27 December 1968
- The crew splashes down
- 20 July 1969
- Apollo 11 lands on the Moon
Sources: NASA · Britannica.