The night sky on the night of the night launch of Apollo 17 — 7 December 1972
Apollo 17, the last crewed mission to the Moon, lifted off from Launch Complex 39A at 12:33 a.m. on 7 December 1972 — the first night launch of a Saturn V, its flame visible for hundreds of miles. On the way to the Moon the crew of Eugene Cernan, Ronald Evans and Harrison Schmitt took the 'Blue Marble' photograph of the whole Earth.
The sky over Launch Complex 39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida, USA
This is the real sky above Launch Complex 39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida, USA (28.61°N, 80.60°W) on 7 December 1972 at 00:33 EST (UTC−5) — the launch of Apollo 17 (1972-12-07 05:33 UTC). The Sun was 83° below the horizon: it was full night. The Moon (waxing crescent, 2% lit) was below the horizon. Planets above the horizon: Saturn (82° in the south). Brightest named stars up: Sirius, Canopus, Capella, Rigel and Procyon.
Make the sky of YOUR date
Every night has its own sky. Pick your city and your date — the night you met, a birth, a wedding — and see the real stars above it, free.
Want this night on your wall? Make a print-ready A3 star-chart poster of 7 December 1972 — 4.99.
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