You’re looking at Buzz Aldrin lifting his boot before taking the photo of the most iconic footprint in history. It’s one of the many discarded Apollo images stored in NASA’s archives. Here’s a collection of those rare, funny, intimate, and always fascinating views to celebrate the 45 anniversary of the landing on the Moon.
Blurry portrait of mission commander Neil Armstrong in Command Module during Earth Orbit phase.
Photo: NASA/Project Apollo Archive
Mike Collins command module pilot and a floating camera
Photo: NASA/Project Apollo Archive
J.J. Abrams style photo of Earth taken during Earth Orbit phase
Photo: Image Science and Analysis Laboratory, NASA-Johnson Space Center
The United States and Mexico photographed from Earth’s orbit
Photo: NASA/Project Apollo Archive
Looking back to our home planet on the way to the Moon
Photo: NASA/Project Apollo Archive
Close-up photo of the docking target on the roof of Lunar Module (LM) as seen from the Command Module (CM) as it docked
Photo: NASA/Project Apollo Archive
Beautiful machinery: composite image of the LM drogue inside Apollo 11 CM cabin
Photo: Jon Hancock/NASA
Composite image of Buzz Aldrin and the messy interior of the Lunar Module Eagle
Photo: Jon Hancock/NASA
Buzz Aldrin listening to mission control transmission during translunar coast
Photo: NASA/Project Apollo Archive
Earth beyond LM exterior seen from CM window during translunar coast
Photo: NASA/Project Apollo Archive
Solar corona photograph
Photo: Image Science and Analysis Laboratory, NASA-Johnson Space Center
Upon arrival: cratered surface of the Moon
Photo: Image Science and Analysis Laboratory, NASA-Johnson Space Center
Part of orbital lunar horizon with peeking Earth
Photo: Image Science and Analysis Laboratory, NASA-Johnson Space Center
LM from CM window after undocking
Photo: Image Science and Analysis Laboratory, NASA-Johnson Space Center
Sunrise on Tranquillity Base
Photo: Image Science and Analysis Laboratory, NASA-Johnson Space Center
Double Earthrise beyond a LM thruster quad
Photo: Image Science and Analysis Laboratory, NASA-Johnson Space Center
Gorgeous view before landing: Crater Hartmann, and beyond it, crater Green from the LM.
Photo: Image Science and Analysis Laboratory, NASA-Johnson Space Center
The Eagle has landed: Tranquility Base and LM shadow from LM window.
Photo: Image Science and Analysis Laboratory, NASA-Johnson Space Center
Armstrong’s first photo after setting foot on the Moon
Photo: NASA/Project Apollo Archive
Aldrin exiting the Eagle
Photo: NASA/Project Apollo Archive/composite by Ed Hengeveld
Aldrin’s boot during soil mechanics test a.k.a. how the most iconic photo of the Moon landing was made
Photo: Image Science and Analysis Laboratory, NASA-Johnson Space Center
This unintentional photograph of suit is the proof that it was not easy to crank up and release the shutter of those Hasselblads wearing clumsy gloves
Photo: Image Science and Analysis Laboratory, NASA-Johnson Space Center
This image of lunar dust only exists because of inadvertent shutter release
Photo: NASA/Project Apollo Archive
Rear of LM ascent stage and Earth beyond
Photo: Image Science and Analysis Laboratory, NASA-Johnson Space Center
So you like to take photos of your shadow? Beat this: Armstrong’s shadow selfie with LM from East Crater
Photo: Image Science and Analysis Laboratory, NASA-Johnson Space Center
Neil Armstrong works at the LM — one of the rare medium format Apollo 11 photographs which include Armstrong
Photo: NASA
Solar wind staff in surface shown in the sun struck final frame of film magazine “S”
Photo: NASA/Project Apollo Archive
Armstrong in LM after historic moonwalk
Photo: NASA/Project Apollo Archive
Aldrin in LM after historic moonwalk
Photo: NASA/Project Apollo Archive
These two panoramic views of the lunar surface were photographed from the LM before and after the Moonwalk. Note the numerous footprints made by the two crewmen during the EVA period.
Photo: NASA
Tranquility Base and flag from LM window. Did you know that the flag was blown over by the exhaust from the ascent engine during liftoff of Apollo 11? Buzz Aldrin witnessed!
Photo: Image Science and Analysis Laboratory, NASA-Johnson Space Center
Ascending LM and Earthrise
Photo: Image Science and Analysis Laboratory, NASA-Johnson Space Center
Farewell: Moon as viewed from Apollo 11 CM Columbia after TransEarth Injection (that shape against black is reflection of internal fluorescent lamp)
Photo: Image Science and Analysis Laboratory, NASA-Johnson Space Center
One of the last shots of Moon during trans-Earth coast.
Photo: Image Science and Analysis Laboratory, NASA-Johnson Space Center
Going home: crescent Earth during trans-Earth coast showing the coast of Somalia
Photo: Image Science and Analysis Laboratory, NASA-Johnson Space Center
Apollo 11 crewmen await pickup by helicopter following splashdown on July 24, 1969
Photo: NASA/Project Apollo Archive
Traditional post-flight cake cutting ceremony was altered since Apollo 11 astronauts, Neil A. Armstrong, Michael Collins, and Edwin E. Aldrin, Jr., were restricted to the Mobile Quarantine Facility.
Photo: NASA/Project Apollo Archive
Apollo 11 astronauts, still in quarantine van, are greeted by wives upon arrival at Ellington AFB on July 27, 1969
Photo: NASA/Project Apollo Archive
The gold replica of an olive branch, the traditional symbol of peace, which was left on the moon’s surface by Apollo 11 crewmembers. Astronaut Neil A. Armstrong, commander, was in charge of placing the branch (less than half a foot in length) on the moon. The gesture represented a fresh wish for peace for all mankind.
Photo: NASA