Kuiper’s Photographic Lunar Atlas (1960)

Gerard P. Kuiper, D. W. G. Arthur, E. Moore, J. W. Tapscott and E. A. Whitaker

Photographic Lunar Atlas Based on Photographs Taken at the Mount Wilson, Lick, Pic du Midi, McDonald and Yerkes Observatories

Chicago, University of Chicago Press, 1960. 23 page introductory booklet and 94 loose plates with monochrome pictures and maps of the moon.  The plates include a total of 230 images. Original red clamshell box with title printed to side panel. The corners of the box are bumped. Old university stamp on the verso of each plate. Folded bottom left corner on the first 4 loose plates. Otherwise everything in very good condition.

The purpose of Kuiper’s Lunar Atlas was to present the surface record of the moon as shown on the best photographs available. The selected photographs were taken at five observatories (Mount Wilson, Lick, Pic du Midi, McDonald and Yerkes). The photographs show the lunar surface with precision both as to location and intensity and with completeness up to the resolving power attained. The information is increased when several photographs of the same area have been taken under different illuminations and are then combined to bring out to maximum advantage both low-level detail and steep mountain slopes. The Atlas is so arranged that it can be used readily at the telescope.