Apollo 11 Moon Landing – Edwin Buzz Aldrin Tranquillity Base – Original Press Photograph August 21st 1969

Photographer: Armstrong, Neil
Publisher: The Press Association Ltd
Price: £250.00
Date: August 21st 1969
Photograph Size: 15.3cm x 22cm including margins
Format: Original Press Photograph
Condition: Very good
Edition: Very early printing

Details:

Original silver gelatin press photograph. Photograph Size: 15.3cm x 22cm including margins. Dated to the reverse and with the stamps of the Shields Gazette. Photograph taken by Neil Armstrong of Edwin Aldrin walking near the deployed Passive Seismic Experiments Package. Very slight marking and creasing. In very good condition indeed. Early and dated press photographs of the moon landing are now very scarce.

Tranquillity Base: A Brief History

Introduction

Tranquillity Base is the site on the Moon where, on 20 July 1969, humans first set foot on another celestial body. Situated in the south-western portion of Mare Tranquillitatis—the “Sea of Tranquility”—it became a defining location in the history of space exploration. The landing was carried out by the Apollo 11 Lunar Module, Eagle, crewed by Commander Neil Armstrong and Lunar Module Pilot Buzz Aldrin.

Choosing the Site

The selection of a landing site was the product of years of careful study. NASA engineers and scientists sought a relatively flat, hazard-free location near the lunar equator to simplify navigation and maximise scientific return. High-resolution photographs from earlier lunar missions were used to identify potential landing zones. Site 2 in Mare Tranquillitatis was ultimately chosen for its smooth terrain and minimal slope, offering a balance between safety and scientific interest.

Descent and Landing

On the afternoon of 20 July 1969, the Eagle separated from the Command Module Columbia, piloted by Michael Collins, and began its powered descent. As the Lunar Module approached the surface, the crew noticed a field of boulders and craters in the programmed landing area. Armstrong took manual control, guiding the spacecraft to a clear patch of ground. Touchdown occurred at 20:17:40 UTC, and Armstrong’s words, “Houston, Tranquillity Base here. The Eagle has landed,” announced the success to the world. The name “Tranquillity Base” was coined spontaneously at that moment, marking the historic site with a fittingly serene title.

Activities on the Surface

Armstrong stepped onto the Moon’s surface at 02:56 UTC on 21 July, followed by Aldrin approximately 19 minutes later. Over the course of a two-and-a-half-hour extravehicular activity, the astronauts carried out experiments, photographed the terrain, and collected rock and soil samples. They deployed the Early Apollo Scientific Experiments Package, including a seismometer and a laser retro-reflector, both designed to study the Moon’s physical properties and its interaction with Earth. They also left a plaque commemorating the landing, along with a silicon disc carrying goodwill messages from leaders around the world.

Departure and Remnants

Before departing, the astronauts left behind various items—scientific instruments, a television camera, tools, and even parts of their life-support systems. The U.S. flag planted nearby was famously knocked over by the exhaust from the ascent stage when Eagle lifted off. The descent stage, with its gold-coloured foil, remains at the site, along with the astronauts’ bootprints, undisturbed for decades in the airless lunar environment.

Preservation and Legacy

Tranquillity Base has since been recognised as a site of immense cultural and scientific value. Although the Moon has no legal system for property rights, efforts have been made to preserve the area. Certain U.S. states have designated it a heritage site, and international guidelines have been proposed to prevent damage from future missions. Images taken by the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter in recent years show the lander, scientific equipment, and the faint trails left by the astronauts.

Beyond its historical significance, Tranquillity Base serves as a powerful symbol of human achievement, international cooperation, and technological progress. It also stands as a reminder that space exploration is both a scientific pursuit and a deeply human endeavour—driven by curiosity, vision, and the courage to venture into the unknown.

Location: Map drawer C: Folder: 1779: 003010

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