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Camera, Leica, Spectrographic, 35mm, Glenn, Friendship 7, ca. 1962. Creator: Leica
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Camera, Leica, Spectrographic, 35mm, Glenn, Friendship 7, ca. 1962. Creator: Leica
With this camera, a Leica 1g model, astronaut John H. Glenn, Jr. carried out the first human-operated, astronomical experiment in space during his pioneering mission on February 20, 1962. On his first orbit, in darkness over the Pacific, Glenn took six ultraviolet spectrographic photos of stars in the constellation Orion with this camera. Equipped with a quartz lens and prism to form the star images into spectra, the camera imaged ultraviolet light that is blocked from view on Earth by the atmosphere. Because Glenn was wearing a spacesuit helmet and could not get his eye close to a built-in viewfinder, NASA selected a this high-quality camera that allowed them to attach a customized reticle on top. To stabilize the camera, he closed his helmet visor and placed the recticle against the visor, cushioned using a small piece of blue rubber. NASA transferred this camera to the Smithsonian in 1963 with a group of Glenn artifacts
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Media ID 23877667
© Heritage Art/Heritage Images
Air And Space Museum Camera Equipment Photographic Friendship 7 Glenn John Glenn John H Glenn John Herschel John Glenn John H Glenn John H Glenn Jr John Herschel Glenn Lens Nasm National Air And Space Museum Space Space Capsule Space Travel Leica
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This print showcases a remarkable moment in history - the pioneering mission of astronaut John H. Glenn, Jr. aboard Friendship 7 on February 20,1962. In this image, we see the iconic Leica Spectrographic camera that played a crucial role in Glenn's groundbreaking astronomical experiment conducted during his orbit around Earth. Equipped with a Leica 1g model, this camera enabled Glenn to capture six ultraviolet spectrographic photos of stars in the constellation Orion while flying over the Pacific Ocean in complete darkness. Its quartz lens and prism allowed for the formation of star images into spectra, capturing ultraviolet light that is typically blocked by our planet's atmosphere. NASA selected this high-quality camera due to its unique features that accommodated Glenn's spacesuit helmet restrictions. With no access to a built-in viewfinder due to his helmet visor, NASA attached a customized reticle on top of the camera and stabilized it against Glenn's visor using a small piece of blue rubber. After completing his historic mission, NASA transferred this invaluable artifact along with other items belonging to John H. Glenn Jr. , including this very camera itself, to the Smithsonian Institution in 1963. This photograph serves as an enduring testament to humanity's relentless pursuit of knowledge beyond our earthly boundaries and pays homage to one man's extraordinary journey into space.
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