1.3 The Genesis Rock – how it was found
The Genesis Rock was found by astronauts James Irwin and David Scott of Apollo 15. These two astronauts knew the significance of what they had found: it was the first sample of the early lunar crust. Watch the video from the Apollo Lunar Surface Journal website, showing the discovery of anorthosite by the Apollo 15 astronauts. The other voice is Joseph Allen, the Capsule Communicator back in Houston. As some of the dialogue in this video is indistinct, you may wish to read the transcript below.
Download this video clip.Video player: moons_1_vid043.mp4
Transcript
DAVID SCOTT
Check it out.
JAMES IRWIN
[INAUDIBLE] beautiful. Hey, let me get some of that clod there. No, let's don't mix them. Let's make this a special-- well, I'll zip it up.
DAVID SCOTT
OK.
JAMES IRWIN
Make this bag number 196 a special bag.
ALFRED WORDEN
Yes, sir.
JAMES IRWIN
The first one. Don't lose your bag now, Jim. Oh, boy. OK, now let's get some of the other-- let me take a picture first. I got it. No sweat. Now we've got to think of how to get that other piece here. Maybe if you could put your scoop in it and break off a chip. Do you think?
DAVID SCOTT
Oh, I think it's just a clod, don't you?
JAMES IRWIN
I don't know. Try it. Put your scoop there in the middle and break off a chip.
DAVID SCOTT
Yeah
JAMES IRWIN
It's not a clod, is it? Nope, it is a clod. Huh. Want to take this piece here? Here, let me get you a bag. Wait, let me take a picture first, so you know which one we got. OK, go ahead. Number 170.
ALFRED WORDEN
Roger, 170. Roger, 170. And Dave and Jim, are you working on the outside of the crater? Or are you over the lip right now?
DAVID SCOTT
Just a tad over the lip on a little bench, but it's--
JAMES IRWIN
Dave, could you hold that one? I don't know whether it will fit in the bag or not. Got it?
DAVID SCOTT
Nope, it dropped. See if you can pick it up again. I think it will fit in the bag, Jim. OK. It's so frangible.
JAMES IRWIN
Yeah, it really is. I think I can get it with the tongs. Here.
DAVID SCOTT
Yeah.
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