# @science on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DToH7aukhms
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/48001245-science-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/2d0ed495bc.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-01-17T21:30:16.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Science 🧬 (@science) — https://gondola.cc/science

## Caption

Duke’s photo that he left on the moon has long been an inspiration for anyone wanting to leave a legacy in space.⁠
The photo shows Duke and his wife, Dorothy Meade Clairborne, along with their two sons, Charles and Thomas, ages seven and five at the time. Duke has said that the photo is a great example of the human side of space exploration and that it was a very meaningful way to involve his family in the Apollo 16 mission.⁠
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Speaking of his decision, Duke is beyond proud and glad. "I'd always planned to leave it on the moon. So when I dropped it, it was just to show the kids that I really did leave it on the moon,” he remarked. In a video shared by Omega, Duke recalled the memory from last year, “It started curling up because the temperature was like 100 degrees. It didn’t last very long, but long enough for me to take a picture of it.” Years later, that tribute has much value to many. Duke mentioned that it stands as a great example of the "human side of space exploration." What about the picture today? The man noted it’s definitely not in pristine condition. ⁠
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"After 43 years, the temperature of the moon every month goes up to 400 degrees [Fahrenheit] in our landing area, and at night it drops to almost absolute zero," Duke said. He added that though it “looked okay” when he dropped it, he never got a chance to see it again and suspects it may have faded.⁠
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#familyphoto #moon #astronaut #nasa #astronomy #astrophysics #space #science

## Stats

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## Tags

science, nasa, space, moon, familyphoto, astrophysics, astronaut, astronomy

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