A “Standard Apollo Star Chart,” printed on both sides of a 16 x 8 paperstock sheet. The star chart includes the names of all Apollo navigation stars as well as trace lines that form the constellations used to locate and identify the stars. The chart is designed with the constellations aligned on the ecliptic, with specific stars used for Apollo navigation identified, named, and numbered with a two-digit numerical code ranging from 1 (Alpheratz) to 45 (Fomalhaut). The chart was used to identify and locate specific stars such that an onboard optical device, the Sextant, could be used to determine the orientation of the spacecraft relative to an onboard Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU); the onboard computer (the Apollo Guidance Computer) would then calculate the location of the craft in inertial space. The chart was also used for navigation during both translunar and transearth trajectories. The back of the chart was used to relate the star number with its common name, Greek name, unit vectors, and ecliptic coordinates. In fine condition.
