Photography Professional Behind "Earthrise" Image, Astronaut Anders, Passes Away in Air Disaster
Authorities verified that an outdated aircraft had crashed close to one of the San Juan Islands in the state of Washington. An inquiry is underway.
In stark contrast, a part of the Apollo 8 mission - the initial space mission with a crew seeing the back side of the moon and capturing photos of it - was unique. During the journey, Anders snapped the "Earthrise" picture in 1968, which displays the Earth as a crescent across the lunar terrain.
The Apollo 8 mission blasted off in December 1968, with Anders, along with space travelers Frank Borman and James Lovell aboard. Borman passed away last November at the age of 95. Anders, who hailed from Hong Kong, had previously served as a fighter pilot in the US Army before joining the astronaut program.
NASA's head, Bill Nelson, expressed the loss of Anders as, "He took us to the edge of the moon and gifted us with a perspective: seeing ourselves," on X. "We will miss him dearly," Nelson added.
Anders altered how we viewed our planet and ourselves through his renowned photograph, stated former astronaut and US Senator Mark Kelly on X. "He motivated me and generations of astronauts," Kelly concluded.
Following his tenure at NASA, Anders functioned as the chair of the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission and was a diplomat to Norway. In the early 1990s, he presided over the US weapon manufacturer General Dynamics prior to retiring.
Read also:
- The news of the plane crash that claimed the life of renowned Apollo 8 astronaut William Anders sparked concern amongst the USA's aviation authorities and the public.
- Bill Nelson, the current NASA head, praised Anders for his pivotal role in the Apollo 8 mission, expressing his admiration for the photograph that changed our perspective of Earth, known as "Earthrise."
- The "Earthrise" image, captured by a Polaroid camera wielded by Anders during the Apollo 8 mission in 1968, became a monumental achievement for NASA and a photographer's dream.
- Unfortunately, the police are still investigating the cause of the plane crash that involved a small aircraft often used by civilians for scenic flights, including famous photographer Bill Nelson.
- CNN, along with other major news outlets, widely reported the demise of the astronaut, who had a significant impact on public perception and appreciation for space exploration, inspired by his groundbreaking "Earthrise" photo.
- Another important figure in the USA's space program, Apollo 8 astronaut Bill Nelson, echoed the sentiment of fellow astronaut Mark Kelly, praising Anders as a source of inspiration who forever altered the way we view Earth and ourselves.
