Gene Cernan’s flown post-lunar landing star chart carried to the moon’s surface and exposed to the vacuum of space while in use inside the Lunar Module Challenger during the Apollo 17 mission. The chart measures 8″ in diameter and consists of a black base disk portraying all stars visible within the hemisphere above the Taurus-Littrow landing site, and a rotatable semitransparent top disk with six concentric circular plots, each of which represents a 60-degree field of view similar to those seen through the viewfinder of the Challenger’s Alignment Optical Telescope. The reverse of the chart bears an affixed swatch of Velcro and is signed and flight-certified in felt tip, “Flown to the Lunar Surface, Apollo XVII, Gene Cernan.” A printed caption below reads: “The Velcro hook has turned gray with lunar dust.”
Includes a signed letter of authenticity from Cernan: “In some ways, when we voyaged to the moon, we were not unlike ancient mariners of the past. The stars were not only to light our way, but were used to guide us to our destination. We had onboard a sextant and telescope similar to what has been used for thousands of years but to make them useful we had to know what the heavens looked like, where the stars were, be able to recognize them and tell our computer through the sextant exactly what stars we were tracking. As a quick reference, we took star charts for the potentially critical times during our thirteen-day mission. Those star charts of particular importance were the ones we carried to the lunar surface. Our first concern after landing would be to prepare for an immediate lift off in case of emergency. In order to assure that our lift off be successful so that we could subsequently rendezvous with our Command Module, we had to be absolutely sure of our Lunar Module's position and orientation on the Lunar surface. This star chart was for a contingency on Apollo XVII that fortunately never occurred, but think how useful it would have been had we needed it.” Impressively matted and framed together, with the star chart hinged to allow viewing of the reverse, to an overall size of 23.5 x 15.25. In overall fine condition.
From the lifetime collection of noted space collector Jim Ruddy.
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