Buzz Aldrin during the initial inspection of the Lunar Module (LM) at about 055:41.
Buzz Aldrin during the initial inspection of the Lunar Module early in the mission. Buzz is wearing his intra-vehicular suit, designed to be as flame retardant as the rest of the ship, and made from the same fabric as the outer layer of the spacesuits.Mini-pan assembled by Jon Hancock; Photographs by Neil Armstrong—NASA
Buzz Aldrin during the initial inspection of the Lunar Module (LM) at about 055:41.
Buzz Aldrin in the Lunar Module
A view of Earth during the mission's brief parking orbit before heading off to the moon.
Command service module (CSM) in orbit over the moon after lunar module separation. Michael Collins was alone in the CSM. Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin were in the LM.
One of three images taken from the LM during LM activation in lunar orbit, which were taken to make sure the film in the magazine would advance once they landed.
Down-Sun (west) view of lunar surface just after landing with the LM shadow, lunar horizon and a partial view of a shallow crater to the left of the LM shadow.
The first photo taken of Buzz coming out through the hatch of the LM.
Buzz has both feet on the footpad. His communications antenna is visible.
Buzz deploys the Solar Wind Collector (SWC), a foil sheet which he is pointing at the Sun. The word 'Shade' is printed on the bottom of the back side and 'Sun' is on the sunward side. At the end of the moon walk, after exposing the SWC to the Sun for about 1 hr 17 min, Buzz will roll up the foil and pack it in a bag for analysis back on Earth.
A close-up of the lunar surface with Buzz's boot and footprint. He took this photo right after the iconic foot print image.
The lunar surface and horizon with the NASA TV camera visible just left of center.
This photograph is the first in a sequence of pictures Neil took of Buzz carrying the EASEP out to the deployment site a short way south of the spacecraft.
Buzz has now deployed both the east and west solar panels on the seismometer.
Post-deployment documentation photo of the LRRR with the stereo camera perched on a flat-topped rock in the background.
No other Apollo photograph has been reproduced as often as this portrait of Buzz.
A shot of the LM with the equipment bay in the shadowed area at right center and the rockbox on the right-front corner.
View of Earth over the LM. There is some uncertainty about who took these pictures of Earth. Australia is visible in sunlight on the left side of the Earth.
Buzz is preparing to remove the seismometer from the lefthand compartment in the equipment bay. He used a pulley-mounted tape to raise the door which can be seen above the right side of the bay. The tape is visible to his right, draped over a LM strut.
One of two photos Neil took of Buzz saluting the U.S. flag. Buzz's fingertips are visible on the far side of his faceplate.
After finishing at the equipment bay, Neil joined Buzz at the ladder. Buzz gave the camera to Neil, who took four frames of the commemorative plaque on the ladder strut and three pictures of the bulk sample area. This is the first of the plaque photos.
The black shadow of the LM is silhouetted against the Moon's surface in this photograph taken out Neil's window after they had returned to the LM.
Buzz took this picture of Neil in the cabin after the completion of the EVA.
Buzz has handed the camera back to Neil again who attempts to make a portrait of Buzz in the cabin.
Neil documents the surface experiments south of the LM.
A view of the U.S. flag, deployed on the surface of the Moon and the deployed black and white lunar surface television camera which televised the lunar surface extravehicular activity in the background.
Earth from lunar orbit, probably not long after Rev 4 Earthrise.
Buzz Aldrin during the initial inspection of the Lunar Module early in the mission. Buzz is wearing his intra-vehicular
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Mini-pan assembled by Jon Hancock; Photographs by Neil Arms
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Rarely-Seen Photos From Apollo 11's Mission to the Moon

<!-- wp:gutenberg-custom-blocks/featured-media {"id":2997543,"url":"https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/apollo-11-moon-landing-buzz-aldrin-neil-armstrong-001.jpg","caption":"Buzz Aldrin during the initial inspection of the Lunar Module early in the mission. Buzz is wearing his intra-vehicular suit, designed to be as flame retardant as the rest of the ship, and made from the same fabric as the outer layer of the spacesuits.","credit":"Mini-pan \nassembled by Jon Hancock; Photographs by Neil Armstrong—NASA"} -->
Buzz Aldrin during the initial inspection of the Lunar Module (LM) at about 055:41.
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After 50 years, you’d think there is no picture of the historic Apollo 11 moon landing that hasn’t been seen a thousand times—but you’d be wrong. Like all travelers, Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins shot a whole lot of frames, and not all of them were keepers. NASA did keep every one of them, of course. Here a few of that are rarely published—mixed with some of the iconic ones that capture best just how extraordinary that long-ago mission was.

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<!-- /wp:gutenberg-custom-blocks/video-jw --><!-- wp:gutenberg-custom-blocks/inline-image {"id":2997543,"url":"https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/apollo-11-moon-landing-buzz-aldrin-neil-armstrong-001.jpg?quality=85\u0026amp;w=560","caption":"Buzz Aldrin during the initial inspection of the Lunar Module early in the mission. Buzz is wearing his intra-vehicular suit, designed to be as flame retardant as the rest of the ship, and made from the same fabric as the outer layer of the spacesuits.","credit":"Mini-pan \nassembled by Jon Hancock; Photographs by Neil Armstrong—NASA","mediaSize":"portrait_small_2x","width":560,"height":400} -->
Buzz Aldrin during the initial inspection of the Lunar Module (LM) at about 055:41.
<!-- /wp:gutenberg-custom-blocks/inline-image --><!-- wp:gutenberg-custom-blocks/inline-image {"id":2997544,"url":"https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/apollo-11-moon-landing-buzz-aldrin-neil-armstrong-002.jpg?quality=85\u0026amp;w=560","caption":"Buzz Aldrin in the LM.","credit":"Neil Armstrong—NASA","mediaSize":"portrait_small_2x","width":560,"height":551} -->
Buzz Aldrin in the Lunar Module
<!-- /wp:gutenberg-custom-blocks/inline-image --><!-- wp:gutenberg-custom-blocks/inline-image {"id":2997546,"url":"https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/apollo-11-moon-landing-buzz-aldrin-neil-armstrong-003.jpg?quality=85\u0026amp;w=560","caption":"A view of Earth during the mission's brief parking orbit before heading off to the moon.","credit":"NASA","mediaSize":"portrait_small_2x","width":560,"height":564} -->
A view of Earth during the mission&#039;s brief parking orbit before heading off to the moon.
<!-- /wp:gutenberg-custom-blocks/inline-image --><!-- wp:gutenberg-custom-blocks/inline-image {"id":2997547,"url":"https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/apollo-11-moon-landing-buzz-aldrin-neil-armstrong-004.jpg?quality=85\u0026amp;w=560","caption":"Command service module in orbit over the moon after lunar module separation. Michael Collins was alone in the Command Service Module. Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin were in the Lunar Module. ","credit":"NASA","mediaSize":"portrait_small_2x","width":560,"height":569} -->
Command service module (CSM) in orbit over the moon after lunar module separation. Michael Collins was alone in the CSM. Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin were in the LM.
<!-- /wp:gutenberg-custom-blocks/inline-image --><!-- wp:gutenberg-custom-blocks/inline-image {"id":2997548,"url":"https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/apollo-11-moon-landing-buzz-aldrin-neil-armstrong-005.jpg?quality=85\u0026amp;w=560","caption":"One of three images taken from the Lunar Module during spacecraft activation in lunar orbit. The pictures were taken to make sure the film in the magazine would advance once the crew landed.","credit":"Buzz Aldrin—NASA","mediaSize":"portrait_small_2x","width":560,"height":569} -->
One of three images taken from the LM during LM activation in lunar orbit, which were taken to make sure the film in the magazine would advance once they landed.
<!-- /wp:gutenberg-custom-blocks/inline-image --><!-- wp:gutenberg-custom-blocks/inline-image {"id":2997549,"url":"https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/apollo-11-moon-landing-buzz-aldrin-neil-armstrong-006.jpg?quality=85\u0026amp;w=560","caption":"Down-Sun (west) view of the lunar surface just after landing with the Lunar Module shadow, lunar horizon and a partial view of a shallow crater to the left of the Lunar Module shadow.","credit":"Neil Armstrong—NASA","mediaSize":"portrait_small_2x","width":560,"height":569} -->
Down-Sun (west) view of lunar surface just after landing with the LM shadow, lunar horizon and a partial view of a shallow crater to the left of the LM shadow.
<!-- /wp:gutenberg-custom-blocks/inline-image --><!-- wp:gutenberg-custom-blocks/inline-image {"id":2997550,"url":"https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/apollo-11-moon-landing-buzz-aldrin-neil-armstrong-007.jpg?quality=85\u0026amp;w=560","caption":"The first photo taken of Buzz coming out through the hatch of the Lunar Module . The US flag that Neil and Buzz will deploy later, is stowed in a long, thin canister attached to the underside of the lefthand rail of the ladder.","credit":"Neil Armstrong—NASA","mediaSize":"portrait_small_2x","width":560,"height":565} -->
The first photo taken of Buzz coming out through the hatch of the LM.
<!-- /wp:gutenberg-custom-blocks/inline-image --><!-- wp:gutenberg-custom-blocks/inline-image {"id":2997551,"url":"https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/apollo-11-moon-landing-buzz-aldrin-neil-armstrong-008.jpg?quality=85\u0026amp;w=560","caption":"Buzz has both feet on the footpad. His communications antenna is visible.","credit":"Neil Armstrong—NASA","mediaSize":"portrait_small_2x","width":560,"height":565} -->
Buzz has both feet on the footpad. His communications antenna is visible.
<!-- /wp:gutenberg-custom-blocks/inline-image --><!-- wp:gutenberg-custom-blocks/inline-image {"id":2997552,"url":"https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/apollo-11-moon-landing-buzz-aldrin-neil-armstrong-009.jpg?quality=85\u0026amp;w=560","caption":"Buzz deploys the Solar Wind Collector, a foil sheet which he is pointing at the Sun. The word 'Shade' is printed on the bottom of the back side and 'Sun' is on the sunward side. At the end of the moon walk, after exposing the SWC to the Sun for about 1 hr 17 min, Buzz will roll up the foil and pack it in a bag for analysis back on Earth.","credit":"Neil Armstrong—NASA","mediaSize":"portrait_small_2x","width":560,"height":563} -->
Buzz deploys the Solar Wind Collector (SWC), a foil sheet which he is pointing at the Sun. The word &#039;Shade&#039; is printed on the bottom of the back side and &#039;Sun&#039; is on the sunward side. At the end of the moon walk, after exposing the SWC to the Sun for about 1 hr 17 min, Buzz will roll up the foil and pack it in a bag for analysis back on Earth.
<!-- /wp:gutenberg-custom-blocks/inline-image --><!-- wp:gutenberg-custom-blocks/inline-image {"id":2997553,"url":"https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/apollo-11-moon-landing-buzz-aldrin-neil-armstrong-010.jpg?quality=85\u0026amp;w=560","caption":"A close-up of the lunar surface with Buzz's boot and footprint. He took this photo right after the iconic footprint image.","credit":"Buzz Aldrin—NASA","mediaSize":"portrait_small_2x","width":560,"height":566} -->
A close-up of the lunar surface with Buzz&#039;s boot and footprint. He took this photo right after the iconic foot print image.
<!-- /wp:gutenberg-custom-blocks/inline-image --><!-- wp:gutenberg-custom-blocks/inline-image {"id":2997554,"url":"https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/apollo-11-moon-landing-buzz-aldrin-neil-armstrong-012.jpg?quality=85\u0026amp;w=560","caption":"The lunar surface and horizon with the NASA TV camera visible just left of center.","credit":"Buzz Aldrin—NASA","mediaSize":"portrait_small_2x","width":560,"height":564} -->
The lunar surface and horizon with the NASA TV camera visible just left of center.
<!-- /wp:gutenberg-custom-blocks/inline-image --><!-- wp:gutenberg-custom-blocks/inline-image {"id":2997555,"url":"https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/apollo-11-moon-landing-buzz-aldrin-neil-armstrong-013.jpg?quality=85\u0026amp;w=560","caption":"This photograph is the first in a sequence of pictures Neil took of Buzz carrying part of the mission's experiment package out to the deployment site a short way south of the spacecraft. The piece of equipment in his right hand is a laser reflector, used to measure the Earth-moon distance precisely. A seismometer package is in Buzz's left hand.","credit":"Neil Armstrong—NASA","mediaSize":"portrait_small_2x","width":560,"height":563} -->
This photograph is the first in a sequence of pictures Neil took of Buzz carrying the EASEP out to the deployment site a short way south of the spacecraft.
<!-- /wp:gutenberg-custom-blocks/inline-image --><!-- wp:gutenberg-custom-blocks/inline-image {"id":2997557,"url":"https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/apollo-11-moon-landing-buzz-aldrin-neil-armstrong-014.jpg?quality=85\u0026amp;w=560","caption":"Buzz has now deployed both the east and west solar panels on the seismometer. He is looking toward the LM, perhaps to get a reference for his alignment.","credit":"Neil Armstrong—NASA","mediaSize":"portrait_small_2x","width":560,"height":566} -->
Buzz has now deployed both the east and west solar panels on the seismometer.
<!-- /wp:gutenberg-custom-blocks/inline-image --><!-- wp:gutenberg-custom-blocks/inline-image {"id":2997558,"url":"https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/apollo-11-moon-landing-buzz-aldrin-neil-armstrong-015.jpg?quality=85\u0026amp;w=560","caption":"Post-deployment documentation photo of the laser reflector with the stereo camera perched on a flat-topped rock in the background. As of December 2010, the retroreflectors were still being used in conjunction with a dedicated facility at the MacDondald Observatory in Texas.","credit":"Neil Armstrong—NASA","mediaSize":"portrait_small_2x","width":560,"height":566} -->
Post-deployment documentation photo of the LRRR with the stereo camera perched on a flat-topped rock in the background.
<!-- /wp:gutenberg-custom-blocks/inline-image --><!-- wp:gutenberg-custom-blocks/inline-image {"id":2997559,"url":"https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/apollo-11-moon-landing-buzz-aldrin-neil-armstrong-016.jpg?quality=85\u0026amp;w=560","caption":"No other Apollo photograph has been reproduced as often as this portrait of Buzz. Neil is, of course, visible in reflection on Buzz's visor. Buzz has his left arm raised and is probably reading the checklist sewn on the wrist cover of his glove.","credit":"Neil Armstrong—NASA","mediaSize":"portrait_small_2x","width":560,"height":566} -->
No other Apollo photograph has been reproduced as often as this portrait of Buzz.
<!-- /wp:gutenberg-custom-blocks/inline-image --><!-- wp:gutenberg-custom-blocks/inline-image {"id":2997560,"url":"https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/apollo-11-moon-landing-buzz-aldrin-neil-armstrong-017.jpg?quality=85\u0026amp;w=560","caption":"A shot of the Lunar Module with the equipment bay in the shadowed area at right center and the rockbox on the right-front corner.","credit":"Buzz Aldrin—NASA","mediaSize":"portrait_small_2x","width":560,"height":564} -->
A shot of the LM with the equipment bay in the shadowed area at right center and the rockbox on the right-front corner.
<!-- /wp:gutenberg-custom-blocks/inline-image --><!-- wp:gutenberg-custom-blocks/inline-image {"id":2997561,"url":"https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/apollo-11-moon-landing-buzz-aldrin-neil-armstrong-018.jpg?quality=85\u0026amp;w=560","caption":"View of Earth over the Lunar Module. There is some uncertainty about who took these pictures of Earth. Australia is visible in sunlight on the left side of the Earth.","credit":"NASA","mediaSize":"portrait_small_2x","width":560,"height":566} -->
View of Earth over the LM. There is some uncertainty about who took these pictures of Earth. Australia is visible in sunlight on the left side of the Earth.
<!-- /wp:gutenberg-custom-blocks/inline-image --><!-- wp:gutenberg-custom-blocks/inline-image {"id":2997562,"url":"https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/apollo-11-moon-landing-buzz-aldrin-neil-armstrong-019.jpg?quality=85\u0026amp;w=560","caption":"Buzz is preparing to remove the seismometer from the lefthand compartment in the equipment bay. He used a pulley-mounted tape to raise the door which can be seen above the right side of the bay. The tape is visible to his right, draped over a Lunar Module strut.","credit":"Neil Armstrong—NASA","mediaSize":"portrait_small_2x","width":560,"height":563} -->
Buzz is preparing to remove the seismometer from the lefthand compartment in the equipment bay. He used a pulley-mounted tape to raise the door which can be seen above the right side of the bay. The tape is visible to his right, draped over a LM strut.
<!-- /wp:gutenberg-custom-blocks/inline-image --><!-- wp:gutenberg-custom-blocks/inline-image {"id":2997563,"url":"https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/apollo-11-moon-landing-buzz-aldrin-neil-armstrong-020.jpg?quality=85\u0026amp;w=560","caption":"One of two photos Neil took of Buzz saluting the U.S. flag. Buzz's fingertips are visible on the far side of his faceplate.","credit":"Neil Armstrong—NASA","mediaSize":"portrait_small_2x","width":560,"height":564} -->
One of two photos Neil took of Buzz saluting the U.S. flag. Buzz&#039;s fingertips are visible on the far side of his faceplate.
<!-- /wp:gutenberg-custom-blocks/inline-image --><!-- wp:gutenberg-custom-blocks/inline-image {"id":2997564,"url":"https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/apollo-11-moon-landing-buzz-aldrin-neil-armstrong-021.jpg?quality=85\u0026amp;w=560","caption":"After finishing at the equipment bay, Neil joined Buzz at the ladder. Buzz gave the camera to Neil, who took four frames of the commemorative plaque on the ladder strut and three pictures of the bulk sample area. This is the first of the plaque photos.","credit":"Neil Armstrong—NASA","mediaSize":"portrait_small_2x","width":560,"height":566} -->
After finishing at the equipment bay, Neil joined Buzz at the ladder. Buzz gave the camera to Neil, who took four frames of the commemorative plaque on the ladder strut and three pictures of the bulk sample area. This is the first of the plaque photos.
<!-- /wp:gutenberg-custom-blocks/inline-image --><!-- wp:gutenberg-custom-blocks/inline-image {"id":2997565,"url":"https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/apollo-11-moon-landing-buzz-aldrin-neil-armstrong-022.jpg?quality=85\u0026amp;w=560","caption":"The black shadow of the Lunar Module is silhouetted against the Moon's surface in this photograph taken out Neil's window after the crew had returned to the LM. Impressions in the lunar soil made by the lunar boots of the two astronauts are clearly visible.","credit":"Buzz Aldrin—NASA","mediaSize":"portrait_small_2x","width":560,"height":569} -->
The black shadow of the LM is silhouetted against the Moon&#039;s surface in this photograph taken out Neil&#039;s window after they had returned to the LM.
<!-- /wp:gutenberg-custom-blocks/inline-image --><!-- wp:gutenberg-custom-blocks/inline-image {"id":2997566,"url":"https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/apollo-11-moon-landing-buzz-aldrin-neil-armstrong-023.jpg?quality=85\u0026amp;w=560","caption":"Buzz took this picture of Neil in the cabin after the completion of the moonwalk. Neil has his helmet off but has not yet removed his \u0022Snoopy\u0022 cap. The circuit breaker panels are illuminated, and a small floodlight is on at the lower right.","credit":"Buzz Aldrin—NASA","mediaSize":"portrait_small_2x","width":560,"height":569} -->
Buzz took this picture of Neil in the cabin after the completion of the EVA.
<!-- /wp:gutenberg-custom-blocks/inline-image --><!-- wp:gutenberg-custom-blocks/inline-image {"id":2997567,"url":"https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/apollo-11-moon-landing-buzz-aldrin-neil-armstrong-024.jpg?quality=85\u0026amp;w=560","caption":"Buzz has handed the camera back to Neil again who attempts to make a portrait of Buzz in the cabin. The extremely bright light coming through the window is being reflected off of the lunar surface.","credit":"Neil Armstrong—NASA","mediaSize":"portrait_small_2x","width":560,"height":569} -->
Buzz has handed the camera back to Neil again who attempts to make a portrait of Buzz in the cabin.
<!-- /wp:gutenberg-custom-blocks/inline-image --><!-- wp:gutenberg-custom-blocks/inline-image {"id":2997568,"url":"https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/apollo-11-moon-landing-buzz-aldrin-neil-armstrong-025.jpg?quality=85\u0026amp;w=560","caption":"Neil documents the surface experiments south of the Lunar Module. Two components of the equipment package they left behind are seen: the seismograph (left) and the laser reflector (right).","credit":"Neil Armstrong—NASA","mediaSize":"portrait_small_2x","width":560,"height":569} -->
Neil documents the surface experiments south of the LM.
<!-- /wp:gutenberg-custom-blocks/inline-image --><!-- wp:gutenberg-custom-blocks/inline-image {"id":2997569,"url":"https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/apollo-11-moon-landing-buzz-aldrin-neil-armstrong-026.jpg?quality=85\u0026amp;w=560","caption":"A view of the U.S. flag, deployed on the surface of the Moon and the deployed black and white lunar surface television camera which televised the lunar surface extravehicular activity in the background.","credit":"Buzz Aldrin—NASA","mediaSize":"portrait_small_2x","width":560,"height":569} -->
A view of the U.S. flag, deployed on the surface of the Moon and the deployed black and white lunar surface television camera which televised the lunar surface extravehicular activity in the background.
<!-- /wp:gutenberg-custom-blocks/inline-image --><!-- wp:gutenberg-custom-blocks/inline-image {"id":2997570,"url":"https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/apollo-11-moon-landing-buzz-aldrin-neil-armstrong-027.jpg?quality=85\u0026amp;w=560","caption":"Earth from lunar orbit, probably not long after Rev 4 Earthrise.","credit":"NASA","mediaSize":"portrait_small_2x","width":560,"height":566} -->
Earth from lunar orbit, probably not long after Rev 4 Earthrise.
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