As the crew came around the side of the moon to start their fourth orbit, they were startled by the beauty of the Earth rising over the moon. First, they couldn’t find a roll of color film to use. Then, Jim Lovell and Bill Anders fought over who had the best view out their window and who would take the shots. Anders won.
Taken by Apollo 8 crewmember Bill Anders on December 24, 1968, this photo shows the Earth seemingly rising above the lunar surface. Note that this phenomenon is only visible from someone in orbit around the moon. Because of the moon's synchronous rotation about the Earth (i.e., the same side of the moon is always facing the Earth), no Earthrise can be observed by a stationary observer on the surface of the moon.
Borman: Oh, my God! Look at that picture over there! Here's the Earth coming up. Wow, is that pretty! [Laughter] You got a color film, Jim?
Anders: Hand me that roll of color quick, will you...
Lovell: Oh man, that's great!
Anders (onboard): ...Hurry. Quick. Hurry up!
Lovell (onboard): Here.
Anders (onboard): Well, I think we missed it.
Lovell (onboard): Hey, I got it right here!
Anders (onboard): Let - let me get it out this window. It's a lot clearer.
Lovell (onboard): Bill, I got it framed; it's very clear right here. You got it?
Anders (onboard): Yep.
Borman (onboard): Well, take several of them.
Lovell: Take several of them! Here, give it to me.
Anders: Wait a minute, let's get the right setting, here now; just calm down.
Borman: Calm down, Lovell.
Lovell: Oh, that's a beautiful shot.
Lovell: 250 at f/11.
Anders: Okay.
Lovell: Now vary the - vary the exposure a little bit.
Anders: I did. I took two of them.
Lovell: You sure we got it now?
Anders: Yes, we'll get - we'll - It'll come up again, I think.