Apollo 8 astronaut William Anders, known for his iconic "Earthrise" photograph, has passed away.
Anders played an integral role in the Apollo-8 mission - a historic flight that marked the first time people saw and documented the moon's backside.while taking the "Earthrise" photo in '68, which captured the Earth as a crescent against the lunar landscape.
The Apollo-8 expedition set off in December 1968, with Anders, Frank Borman, and James Lovell astronauts at the helm. Tragically, Borman passed away in November, aged 95. Anders previously served as a fighter pilot in the US Army before joining the space program.
Bill Nelson, head of the US space agency, shared his condolences and recounted Anders' significance on social media network X. "Anders bestowed a priceless gift upon humanity. He Broadened our perspective on what it means to be human by showing us a different angle: our home planet," underscored Nelson. "His passing is deeply felt."
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Anders' distinctive "Earthrise" photograph, taken during the Apollo 8 mission, was featured on CNN, showcasing a different perspective of the USA from space.
Although Anders was a skilled Apollo 8 astronaut, his career also included serving as a photographer, capturing diverse scenes both on Earth and in space.
Following Anders' passing, numerous tributes flooded social media platforms, with former NASA administrator Bill Nelson expressing his sorrow and highlighting Anders' influential role in expanding humanity's perspective.
The plane crash that claimed the life of another renowned photographer in the USA sparked a renewed interest in the significance of capturing authentic, different perspectives, underscoring Anders' legacy.
