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Exceptional original vintage semi-glossy 13.75 x 13.25 silver gelatin photograph of the moon's surface taken by Lunar Orbiter 3 in February 1967, showing the Planitia Descensus with Crater Galilaei to the upper right and the rim of Crater Cavalerius in the foreground. Affixed to a 16 x 18 mount, with a typed caption on the reverse, in part: "Lunar Orbiter III - 80mm Lens, Medium Resolution Photograph of Site S-30 (KI-3056). When this photograph was taken, Orbiter was at about 65°W and 7°N at an altitude of about 36 statute miles. The view is looking North toward the area of Galilaei near the horizon which is about 100 miles away. Near the center of the photograph (vertically and horizontally) is the rugged region in which the Russian Luna 9 is reported to have made its soft landing. The northeast rim of the large crater Cavalerius appears near the lower left corner of this scene." Also annotated on the reverse in felt tip, "B. Elle." In fine condition.
Now known as the 'Planitia Descensus'—the Plain of Descent—this is the only officially named plain on the moon, commemorating the first successful soft landing of the Russian Luna 9 on February 3, 1966. The IAU confirmed the name of the site in 1970.
