Brief
Gene Cernan
The claims the writer was given for Gene Cernan, in the order they were given.
1
The original Hasselblad image catalogued as AS17-134-20426 was taken by Apollo 17 Commander Gene Cernan at the Apollo 17 Taurus-Littrow lunar landing site, looking west.
“The original Hasselblad image was taken by Apollo 17 Commander, Gene Cernan, at the Apollo 17 Taurus-Littrow Lunar Landing Site, looking west.”
Dark Mission 2010-07-22 ch11:112708-112846 administrative
2
Richard C. Hoagland interprets what Gene Cernan captured in image AS17-134-20426 as backscattered reflection of a refractive sunrise on the Moon, produced by hundreds of miles of shattered glass and rebar suspended in the remains of a lunar dome arching over Mare Serenitatis directly behind Cernan.
“What Cernan captured on this spectacular Hasselblad color image was nothing less than the backscattered *reflection* of "a refractive sunrise on the Moon," coming through the literally "hundreds of miles of shattered bits of glass and rebar" still suspended in the remains of the lunar dome arching over Mare Serenitatis”
Dark Mission 2010-07-22 ch11:113350-113659 opinion first hand
3
During the close approach of Apollo 10's Snoopy to the lunar surface, Lunar Module Pilot Gene Cernan commented, "Man, we's getting down among them."
“prompting Lunar Module Pilot Gene Cernan to comment ominously; "Man, we's getting down among them."”
Dark Mission 2010-07-22 ch12:27338-27431 testimony first hand
4
Gene Cernan photographed Jack Schmitt holding a lunar sample collecting rake during the Apollo 17 mission.
“Color Fig. 8 - Gold-helmeted astronaut Harrison Schmitt holds collectin rake while photographed by astronaut Gene Cernan.”
Dark Mission 2010-07-22 ch14:47408-47522 observation
5
During his January 2004 speech announcing the Vision for Space Exploration, George W. Bush acknowledged Gene Cernan, the Commander of Project Apollo 17, as the last man to have set foot upon another world.
“About midway through the speech, Bush turned to and acknowledged the last man to have set foot upon another world, Gene Cernan, the Commander of Apollo 17”
Dark Mission 2010-07-22 ch19:22795-22947 observation
6
At the January 2004 Vision for Space Exploration announcement, Gene Cernan refused to acknowledge George W. Bush's gesture and scowled as his own words were quoted.
“And how did Cernan react as the room filled with applause? By refusing to even acknowledge the gesture on the President's part, and even scowling as the words were spoken.”
Dark Mission 2010-07-22 ch19:23197-23361 observation
7
At the January 2004 Vision for Space Exploration announcement, an unidentified astronaut seated next to Gene Cernan gave Cernan a stern look.
“The astronaut next to him, who remains unidentified, even cast Cernan a stern look [Fig. 12-3].”
Dark Mission 2010-07-22 ch19:23369-23461 observation
8
Richard C. Hoagland considers Gene Cernan's non-reaction to George W. Bush's acknowledgement rude and inappropriate etiquette given that Cernan was invited at NASA and the White House's behest.
“Frankly, this reaction, or lack thereof, stunned us. Not only was it rude of Cernan, it was totally inappropriate etiquette, given that he was invited (presumably) at NASA and the White House's behest.”
Dark Mission 2010-07-22 ch19:23466-23661 opinion first hand
9
Richard C. Hoagland suspects that Gene Cernan's silent protest at the 2004 announcement stemmed from something more than a political disagreement with George W. Bush, possibly connected to the Apollo 17 mission and Cernan's role in it.
“We began to suspect that there was something more to Cernan's silent protest than a mere political disagreement with President Bush. Perhaps there was something more, something about the Apollo 17 Mission … and Cernan's role in it at work here.”
Dark Mission 2010-07-22 ch19:24166-24405 opinion first hand
10
Richard C. Hoagland considers Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong more logical choices than Gene Cernan to represent the Apollo past at the 2004 announcement, since they had participated in similar NASA events, were better known to the public, and had delivered generous and memorable remarks.
“Apollo 11's Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong would seem much more logical choices, since they had already participated in numerous NASA events like this one, were far better known to the general public than Cernan, and had always delivered generous and memorable remarks.”
Dark Mission 2010-07-22 ch19:24528-24789 opinion first hand
11
After George W. Bush's 2004 announcement, Gene Cernan said only, "I've been waiting for this day for thirty-one years."
“After the President's 2004 announcement Cernan had only this to say—"I've been waiting for this day for thirty-one years."”
Dark Mission 2010-07-22 ch19:25549-25664 testimony first hand
12
The Apollo 17 landing at Taurus-Littrow was by far the riskiest Apollo landing, requiring Gene Cernan to set the lunar module Challenger down among mountains between approximately 2,000 and 2,500 metres tall on a valley floor littered with large craters.
“This was by far the riskiest Apollo landing of them all, as Gene Cernan would be required to set the lunar module *Challenger* down among gigantic (6,500 to 8,200 feet tall) mountains on a valley floor littered with large craters.”
Dark Mission 2010-07-22 ch19:42822-43044 measurement first hand
13
Gene Cernan guided the lunar module Challenger to a landing at the outer edge of the Taurus-Littrow landing ellipse on 1972-12-11 at 19:54:57 UTC.
“Using a landing approach that required him to drop the LM sharply down among the mountains at a steep angle and with little margin for error, Cernan guided the lunar module Challenger to a landing at the outer edge of the landing ellipse on December 11, 1972 at 19:54:57 UTC.”
Dark Mission 2010-07-22 ch19:46510-46781 administrative
14
Gene Cernan landed the Challenger near Camelot crater, echoing the Camelot theme that Jacqueline Kennedy had given to President John F. Kennedy's administration after his death.
“Cernan managed to land the *Challenger* near Camelot crater (wistfully echoing the theme that Jackie Kennedy had given President Kennedy's entire, brief Administration after his untimely death … the President who had made it possible for the Gene Cernan to even land here at all).”
Dark Mission 2010-07-22 ch19:46905-47180 opinion first hand
15
Mission Commander Gene Cernan named the crater Isis, which was also located near the Apollo 17 landing site.
“The crater "Isis," named by Mission Commander Cernan, was also was nearby.”
Dark Mission 2010-07-22 ch19:47424-47491 administrative
16
Jack Schmitt and Gene Cernan had a schedule for Apollo 17 that called for unpacking the Lunar Rover, emplacing seismometers and explosive charges at key points within the Taurus-Littrow Valley, and traversing nearly 39 kilometres in total.
“Schmitt and Cernan had an aggressive schedule that called for them to unpack the Lunar Rover, emplace a number of seismometers and explosive charges at key points within the Valley, while traversing and exploring nearly 39 kilometers in total.”
Dark Mission 2010-07-22 ch19:47813-48050 administrative
17
Jack Schmitt and Gene Cernan were tasked with deploying a classified experiment called Chapel Bell, about which virtually nothing has been revealed.
“They were also tasked to deploy a mysterious and classified experiment called "Chapel Bell," about which virtually nothing (to this day) has been revealed.”
Dark Mission 2010-07-22 ch19:48057-48204 administrative
18
After unpacking and deploying the Rover and Apollo Lunar Surface Experiments Package (ALSEP) instrument packages along with the American flag, Jack Schmitt and Gene Cernan headed to their first geology station, the nearby crater Steno.
“After unpacking and deploying the Rover and ALSEP instrument packages (along with the American flag), Schmitt and Cernan headed to their first "geology station," the nearby crater Steno.”
Dark Mission 2010-07-22 ch19:48215-48395 administrative
19
EVA-2 of Apollo 17 called for Gene Cernan and Jack Schmitt to head directly for the South Massif and a crater named Nansen, then visit locations on the Lincoln Scarp and stop at Shorty Crater.
“EVA-2 called for Cernan and Schmitt to head directly for the South Massif and the odd "crater" named Nansen. After that, they were scheduled to visit locations on the Lincoln Scarp and then stop at Shorty Crater, one of the key targets for the Mission.”
Dark Mission 2010-07-22 ch19:48574-48818 administrative
20
Gene Cernan and Jack Schmitt would have been able to see anything unusual about the South Massif from Geology Station 2 at the base of the massif atop Nansen, or on the way up or back from the station.
“Certainly, if there were anything unusual about the South Massif, Cernan and Schmitt would be able to spot it either from "Geology Station 2," which was at the base of the South Massif atop Nansen, or on their way up (or back from) the station.”
Dark Mission 2010-07-22 ch19:51083-51319 opinion first hand
21
As Gene Cernan and Jack Schmitt neared the South Massif, Cernan noted a curious linear geometry on the surface of the massif and asked Schmitt if he could see impressed lineations going from the lower left upward to the right on the dark area of the South Massif.
“141:52:03, Cernan: "Jack, can you see over there to the left—I'll turn a little bit (for a better view)—on the dark area of the South Massif where you get those impressed lineations? See them going from left upward to the right?"”
Dark Mission 2010-07-22 ch19:52743-52965 observation first hand
22
Gene Cernan and Jack Schmitt, during Apollo 17 EVA-2, discussed linear wrinkle-like features on the South Massif, with Schmitt calling them crenulations similar to something he had seen from orbit at the edge of the shadows.
“141:52:22, Cernan: "They're more like wrinkles, they're linear wrinkles." 141:52:22, Schmitt: "Yeah. Crenulations, you might say, in the slope that looks something like those I saw from orbit, looking in the shadowed area... or, at the edge of the shadows."”
Dark Mission 2010-07-22 ch19:53155-53406 observation first hand
23
As the Apollo 17 astronauts headed for the east slope of Nansen, they at first could not see down into Nansen and Gene Cernan had to drive left (east) to approach the overhanging shelf from that side.
“As they cleared the top of the "hole in the wall" and headed for the east slope of Nansen, the Apollo 17 astronauts at first couldn't see down into Nansen. Cernan had to drive to his left (east) and approach the overhanging shelf from that side.”
Dark Mission 2010-07-22 ch19:56728-56968 observation first hand
24
When the Apollo 17 astronauts got their first look down into Nansen, Gene Cernan parked the rover on the shelf facing north so that the television cameras could not see directly into the opening at the base of the South Massif.
“A few moments later, the astronauts get their first look down into Nansen, at which point Cernan decides to park the rover up on the shelf, facing north, so the TV cameras cannot see directly into the opening at the base of the massif.”
Dark Mission 2010-07-22 ch19:57347-57575 observation first hand
25
Gene Cernan and Jack Schmitt could see directly into Nansen despite the rover's parked position blocking the television camera's view.
“Schmitt and Cernan, however, *could* see directly into Nansen.”
Dark Mission 2010-07-22 ch19:57583-57638 observation first hand
26
Near the end of the Nansen station, Gene Cernan, off camera, said he had some good pictures of Nansen but was not sure he really believed it all.
“143:22:08, Cernan: "Well, I have some good pictures of Nansen, anyway, and... (long pause)… You know, I look out there, I'm not sure I really believe it all."”
Dark Mission 2010-07-22 ch19:58459-58612 observation first hand
27
Jack Schmitt told mission control that he and Gene Cernan had not had a chance to look around any more than mission control had heard.
“143:27:11, Schmitt: "We haven't had a chance to look around any more than you've heard."”
Dark Mission 2010-07-22 ch19:58730-58811 testimony first hand
28
Gene Cernan and Jack Schmitt drove to station 2A, a few hundred metres back down the slope from the lip of Nansen, from which they could have had a vantage point looking directly into the hole leading into the South Massif.
“Next, Cernan and Schmitt drove to station 2A, just a few hundred meters back down the slope they had ridden up to get to the lip of Nansen. From this perspective, they could have had a perfect vantage point looking directly into the hole leading into the South Massif”
Dark Mission 2010-07-22 ch19:59195-59456 observation first hand
29
At station 2A, Gene Cernan turned the rover in a circle so that Jack Schmitt could take a panoramic view of the area and the valley below.
“At station 2A, Cernan turned the rover in a circle, so Schmitt could take a panoramic view of the area and the valley below them.”
Dark Mission 2010-07-22 ch19:59658-59782 observation
30
At mission time 143:50:27, Cernan told Schmitt to keep photographing, saying "Start taking. Take the whole thing."
“143:50:27, Cernan: "Start taking. Take the whole thing."”
Dark Mission 2010-07-22 ch19:60015-60064 observation first hand
31
At mission time 143:50:54, Gene Cernan described the area near Nansen crater as "a mysterious looking place."
“143:50:54, Cernan: "Isn't that something? Man, you talk about a mysterious looking place."”
Dark Mission 2010-07-22 ch19:60075-60158 observation first hand
32
Gene Cernan parked the lunar rover up over the lip of Nansen crater so that television cameras could not see directly into the crater's opening.
“Cernan is concerned that they can see directly into Nansen, so much so that he parks the rover up over the lip of Nansen so the TV cameras can't see directly into the opening.”
Dark Mission 2010-07-22 ch19:61322-61489 observation
33
Gene Cernan described the Taurus-Littrow area as a "mysterious place" and "unbelievable".
“Cernan goes on to describe the whole area as a "mysterious place," and "unbelievable,"”
Dark Mission 2010-07-22 ch19:61624-61696 observation first hand
34
Gene Cernan and Jack Schmitt joked about cutting out certain parts of photographs that should have shown what lay beneath the shadowed overhang of Nansen crater.
“as they take pictures that should show what lies beneath the shadowed "overhang" of Nansen (which is clearly visible from orbit), they joke about cutting out certain parts of the pictures.”
Dark Mission 2010-07-22 ch19:61900-62079 observation
35
Along the way to Shorty Crater, Jack Schmitt and Gene Cernan stopped at another small crater, later named Ballet Crater, to take samples.
“Along the way to Shorty Crater, a black, halo-rimmed crater on the outskirts of the light mantle material from the South Massif avalanche, Schmitt and Cernan stopped to take some samples along the rim of another small crater.”
Dark Mission 2010-07-22 ch19:63463-63681 observation
36
At mission time 145:26:42, Gene Cernan confirmed he could see the orange soil at Shorty crater, saying "I can see it from here!"
“145:26:42, Cernan: (Excited, too) "Hey, it is! I can see it from here!"”
Dark Mission 2010-07-22 ch19:66054-66119 observation first hand
37
Richard C. Hoagland observed that some of Gene Cernan's photographs of Shorty crater show "strange objects" that do not resemble the fractured volcanic rocks expected around a major impact crater, instead resembling broken metallic machinery and shattered glass.
“in some of Cernan's previous Shorty images "strange objects" can be seen which do not resemble the fractured, volcanic rocks that would be expected in and around a major impact crater. Instead, they look like large chunks of broken, metallic machinery and shattered glass.”
Dark Mission 2010-07-22 ch19:66756-67023 opinion first hand
38
Composite images from other frames taken by Gene Cernan at Shorty crater showed that the Data's Head object had two eye sockets, a forehead, brow ridges, a nose with nostrils, and twin cheekbones, with the lower jaw missing.
“Composites of other frames Cernan had taken from the rim of Shorty showed that the head had two eye-sockets, a forehead, brow ridges, a nose with nostrils, twin cheek bones and the upper half of the jaw; the "lower jaw" seemed to be missing”
Dark Mission 2010-07-22 ch19:69930-70163 observation
39
The Apollo 17 mission transcripts show that Gene Cernan and Jack Schmitt were rushed at the Shorty crater station because of time lost earlier at Ballet Crater.
“The transcripts for the Shorty EVA show that the astronauts were certainly rushed at this station because of the time they had lost at Ballet Crater.”
Dark Mission 2010-07-22 ch19:70779-70921 observation second hand
40
None of the published photographic surface panoramas from the Apollo 17 mission reflected the odd geometric "lineations" that Jack Schmitt and Gene Cernan described seeing on their approach to the South Massif.
“none of the photographic surface pans that were available reflected the odd geometry—the "lineations"—that Schmitt and Cernan described on their approach to South Massif.”
Dark Mission 2010-07-22 ch19:73290-73453 observation
41
The upper right pane of the October 2005 Hubble-derived image release contained a portion of one of Gene Cernan's photographic panoramas at Shorty crater, one of the same frames that contained the cropped-out images of the Data's Head object.
“The upper right pane contained a portion of one of Gene Cernan's pans at Shorty Crater—one of the same frames that contained images (cropped out) of "Data's head."”
Dark Mission 2010-07-22 ch19:75551-75708 observation
42
Gene Cernan, on first seeing the Taurus-Littrow landscape during the Apollo 17 mission, said "Man, you talk about a mysterious looking place!"
“The view fully corroborates Gene Cernan’s own emotional reaction to actually seeing all this, first-hand so many years ago: “Man, you talk about a *mysterious looking* place!””
Dark Mission 2010-07-22 ch20:20984-21153 testimony second hand
43
During the Apollo 17 orbital debris sighting, December 7, 1972, Gene Cernan's impression was that the particles were flat, flake-like fragments.
“my impression is that they are flat, flake-like particles”
NASA-UAP-D009, Apollo 17 Audio Excerpt, December 7, 1972 2026-07-11 00:04:15.7-00:04:20.2 opinion first hand
44
During the Apollo 17 orbital debris sighting, December 7, 1972, Gene Cernan estimated that some of the flake-like fragments were approximately 15 centimetres across.
“some maybe six inches across”
NASA-UAP-D009, Apollo 17 Audio Excerpt, December 7, 1972 2026-07-11 00:04:20.8-00:04:22.8 measurement first hand
45
During the Apollo 17 orbital debris sighting, December 7, 1972, Gene Cernan observed that most of the fragments appeared to be twinkling.
“most of them seem to be twinkling”
NASA-UAP-D009, Apollo 17 Audio Excerpt, December 7, 1972 2026-07-11 00:04:28.3-00:04:31.4 observation first hand
46
During the Apollo 17 orbital debris sighting, December 7, 1972, Gene Cernan observed that the fragments seemed for the most part to be moving away from the spacecraft.
“I think for the most part they're all moving away from us”
NASA-UAP-D009, Apollo 17 Audio Excerpt, December 7, 1972 2026-07-11 00:04:33.1-00:04:35.2 observation first hand