Earthrise Space Poster

High Quality Space Poster shot from Apollo 11 - "Earthrise"

This first poster in our space posters series was chosen for it's historical significance in a time when space exploration is experiencing a revival. Earthrise was one of the most amazing images ever returned from space. It is recognized as a defining image of the 20th century.

Quote on space poster from astronaut Edgar Mitchell

Earthrise

Suddenly, from behind the rim of the moon, in long, slow-motion moments of immense majesty, there emerges a sparkling blue and white jewel, a light, delicate sky-blue sphere laced with slowly swirling veils of white, rising gradually like a small pearl in a thick sea of black mystery. It takes more than a moment to fully realize this is Earth . . . home.

- Edgar Mitchell, Apollo 14

Famous image from the Apollo Program - Earthrise

Text on bottom of poster
Only twenty four people in history have seen this stunning view of earthrise first hand. The crew of Apollo 8 were the first to witness the incredible and unanticipated sight of the earth rising over the lunar horizon on Christmas Eve, 1968.

On July 20, 1969, after a four day trip, the Apollo 11 astronauts entered the Moon’s orbit. As the crew returned from the far side, they captured this photo of the desolate lunar surface at Smyth’s Sea, with the Earth rising in the distance. Although even the astronauts themselves cannot recall who actually took the picture, it remains one of the most famous photos taken from the space program.

About this image - Earthrise

The first Earthrise photo, shot from Apollo 8, has typically been credited to mission commander Frank Borman, even though William Anders was assigned as photographer. Borman even claims to have taken the famed shot of the Earth peering over the moon. However, the voice-recorder tapes from the mission confirmed that Anders indeed took the photo.

Our Earthrise image was returned from the Apollo 11 mission that was the first to land a man on the moon. To obtain a high quality image to enlarge and reproduce, we contacted NASA's national archives department.