This paper is a two-stage study of the photo-graphic aspects of the Apollo optical bar camera. The first part, prepared and presented in advance of the flight of Apollo 15, deals with the analysis of the lunar surface characteristics; defines the film, filter, and exposure for optimum camera performance; and investigates lunar object detection. These studies led to the choice of the photographic camera parameters incorporated in the mission. The second part is an analysis of the quality of the optical bar photography with particular attention given to the correlation between the predictions of part one and the actual results derived from measurements of the imagery. These findings are presented (1) to demonstrate the image quality of the photography and (2) to substantiate the value of photographic predictions as a means to ensure optimum camera performance.

Date Published: 1 September 1972
PDF: 24 pages
Proc. SPIE 0028, Instrumentation in Astronomy I, (1 September 1972); doi: 10.1117/12.953530

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 0028:
Instrumentation in Astronomy I
Lewis Larmore; Robert W. Poindexter, Editor(s)