Dave Scott's lunar flown circular star chart carried on board the Lunar Module Falcon during the Apollo 15 mission. Chart measures approximately 8.25″ in diameter, and consists of a black base disk portraying all stars visible within the hemisphere above the lunar module, and a rotatable semitransparent top disk with six circular ring displays, each of which represent a 60-degree field of view similar to those seen through the viewfinder of the Falcon's Alignment Optical Telescope. Reverse of chart bears an affixed swatch of Velcro, and is signed and flight-certified in black felt tip, "Circular star chart used on the lunar surface during Apollo 15, July 26-Aug 7, 1971. Dave Scott, Apollo 15, CDR." In fine condition. Accompanied by a detailed letter of provenance signed by Scott, in part: "I hereby certify that the circular Star Chart included with this letter was used in the Lunar Module Falcon during Apollo 15…The circular rings on the transparent disk are actually [Alignment Optical Telescope] viewfinder areas that show the specific stars that would appear in the AOT field of view at six specific times on the lunar surface during a mission. The white dots on the black base disk are specific stars that are used for navigation...and for location and identification, lines are drawn between certain stars to form familiar constellations...The Apollo 15 LM carried two such star charts. The Apollo 15 LM carried two such star charts. The first star chart was for use in the event of an emergency abort liftoff immediately after the initial landing. The second chart was for use during a normal lift off at the end of the mission on the lunar surface. The second chart was used due to the fact that the planets and stars had precessed across the sky during the time the LM was on the Moon...The Apollo Star Chart has been in my personal collection since returning to Earth." A highly appealing lunar flown star chart relied upon by CMD Scott and LMP Jim Irwin as they prepared to liftoff from the surface of the moon after nearly three full days of extensive lunar research.
This item is Pre-Certified by STEVE ZARELLI
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