Space: The Moon Is Brown

Had it been shot on earth, it would hardly have been worth a first glance. Its composition was uninspired and its subject — a rough-surfaced grey rock lying on brownish grey, clumpy soil —was singularly dull. Yet it was a histor ic picture — a color photograph taken on the surface of the moon. The dis tinguished and prolific photographer: Surveyor 1.

To achieve lunar color photography, Jet Propulsion Laboratory scientists in Pasadena first commanded the mirror mounted above Surveyor's fixed, black-and-white television camera to swivel and tilt until it reflected the proper piece of lunar terrain into the cam...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!