ALS, one page, 5.25 x 8, NASA letterhead, March 7, 1981. Letter to an interested admirer. In full, “I’m sorry that we have never been able to explain the ‘flash’ phenomenon I experienced. One proposed answer was that this may have been the only ocular flash I experienced during the mission. Others saw numerous events under similar conditions, but I did not. It’s possible that I saw an impact but it was small enough that our ALSEP seismometers did not record it.” During the Apollo 16 Mission, Mattingly observed strange bright flashes on the surface of the moon as he orbited the moon in the Lunar Orbiter. The "flashes" emanated from the surface of the Moon not lit by the Sun but by "Earth-shine." Mattingly was heard to remark "I'll be damned" before he reported his observation to Mission Control. Mattingly was given instructions to report immediately any similar events as he passed through the next orbit and preparations were made to investigate and explain the phenomenon. Sure enough as he passed over the same area of the Moon he observed two bright flashes coming from the surface but despite the fact that scientific instruments had monitored the event, no explanation was forthcoming. However, NASA footage taken during the Apollo Missions does illustrate that "Unknown Objects" were not only seen but were captured on film. In one instance a bright flash is seen on the Moon's surface just as an unidentified object approaches from the left and passes over. In another instance a large, seemingly circular UFO positioned close to the Moon was caught on film. In fine condition. R&R COA.
