First View of the Lunar Far Side

Filed under pretty pictures, history, the Moon, Soviet lunar missions

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In 1959 the Soviet probe Luna 3 captured this image--the first view ever showing the far side of the moon. Tsiolkovsky Crater is visible as the dark, heart-shaped feature near the lower-right edge.

Leningrad Scientific Research Institute of Television / Sternberg Astronomical Institute / curated online by Don P. Mitchell

This image is copyrighted with all rights reserved. Do not reuse in any way without permission.
Contact us to request publication permission from the copyright holder. Original image data dated on or about October 7, 1959