Thanks for the link to the Apollo 12 transcription. I just read it for myself. Yes there is a greater context surrounding the mention of a dome, as
ngchunter points out, but still only fragments of it have been quoted in this post. For the record, here's the entire conversation pertaining to this
very peculiar incident:
03 15 50 38 CMP Okay, wait a minute .... 66.3 by 54.7; that's what
the - that's what this was - 64.9 by 53 - -
03 15 50 53 _P Hey, look at that - look at this crazy thing! Look
at that dome. Right here. That big ... there.
03 15 51 O1 CDR Yes.
03 15 51 02 LMP Look at the cliffs.
03 15 51 06 CDR That's a big crater.
03 15 51 09 LMP Gosh damn! You're going to - look at this ...
Christ sakes!
03 15 51 16 CDR I didn't know that thing was Armstrong's ...
03 15 51 19 CMP ... okay ... do the rest of the checklist_
03 15 51 21 LMP Gee, that's broken. Neeeeee, let's read the rest
of it, Pete.
03 15 51 31 CDR BUS TIES.
03 15 51 33 LMP They're OFF.
03 15 51 34 CDR EMS FUNCTION, OFF; EMS MODE, STANDBY.
03 15 51 36 LMP It's done.
It was suggested that the line "look at the cliffs" was a change of subject. However, if you read LMP's previous quote, when he says "That big ...
there," you can imagine that he's physically trying to point out the location of the dome. When CDR merely says "Yes," he apparently does not see
it, so LMP gives him a landmark to zero-in on - "Look at the cliffs." CDR hardly takes the time to look, as the time record shows, and as his next
comment demonstrates - "that's a big crater." He merely glances for a few seconds at the most prominent geological feature that catches his eye - a
big crater. This obviously frustrates LMP, who exclaims "Gosh damn! You're going to - look at this ... Christ sakes!" He's still trying to get the
other astronauts to look, but they're trying to fly a spacecraft -understandably preoccupied. LMP's enthusiasm goes unnoticed. The next statement
made by CDR is perplexing: "I didn't know that thing was Armstrong's ..." I have no clue what he means here, but it definitely doesn't settle the
issue of the dome sighting that had LMP all fired up. I suspect he wasn't even responding to LMP at all, and was talking to CMP. After that, CMP
changes the subject and they start going over a checklist.
You have to use your imagination to try and fill in the gaps here. The script tells us a lot though. We at least know that the issue of the dome
sighting is still up in the air. LMP never dismisses it, he just consents to his team's disinterest and their focus on procedure at that particular
moment.
Anyway, very intriguing, and this should set the record straight.
By the way, I just posted a reply anonymously, right before I decided to post again in regards to this issue. I was told that I had to wait 12 hours
to make another anonymous reply, so I went ahead and registered to skip the wait. You guys are stuck with me now! It'll be great fun, promise...
Love,
Maat
