Long-exposure photo from lunar orbit.<br>This photo was used in Figure 25-103 of the <i>Apollo 15 Preliminary Science Report</i> (SP-289, 1971), which has the following caption:<br><dl><dd>The solar corona photographed approximately 1 min before sunrise on July 31 (1971).<br></dd></dl><p>The text of the <i>Report</i> also says:<br></p>
<dl><dd>On July 31 at 17:30 G.m.t., the first sequence of sunrise photographs was started. The second picture in that sequence is shown in figure 25-103. The brightest star in the center of the frame is Regulus, approximately 20° from Sun center; just at the edge of the frame is Mercury at approximately 28° from Sun center; and the lesser stars form the head of the constellation Leo. It would appear that the zodiacal light is visible to some 15° to 20° elongation and the solar corona goes in the other direction to possibly 8° or 10° from Sun center. The frame was taken 1 min before sunrise, so the Sun is approximately 3° below the lunar limb.</dd></dl>
NASA
1971-07-31
<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://tothemoon.ser.asu.edu/gallery/Apollo/15/Hasselblad%20500EL%2070%20mm">Magazine 98</a>, Apollo 15, March to the Moon