Processed images from the Zond 3 mission

Here are processed images from the Zond 3 mission. These are the first clear images from the Moon's far side, obtained in 1965.

The original images (and extensive information) can be found here: http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/database/MasterCatalog?sc=1965-056A, www.mentallandscape.com/C_CatalogMoon.htm.

Processing consisted on removal of vertical and horizontal image stripes and noise reduction. Parts with missing data were painted with a uniform gray and the black sky background painted black.

Partial mosaics were created using some frame sequences. Spacecraft movement requires some reprojection of the images in order to create a global mosaic. This was done in the "all frames mosaic", were all returned images were used to increase area coverage and improve signal-to-noise ratio of the final image.

Zond 3 Mosaics

All frames mosaic

Mosaic of frames 5 & 7

Mosaic of frames 14, 18, 19 & 20

Mosaic of frames 19, 20 & 21

Mosaic of frames 22, 23 & 24

 

Mosaic of frames 26, 27, 28 & 29

 

 

Zond 3 Processed Frames

Test Pattern?

 

Frame 1

 
Test Pattern?

 

Frame 2

 
Frame 3 (1100 lines mode)
Frame 4 (67 lines mode)
Frame 5 (1100 lines mode)
Frame 6 (67 lines mode)
Frame 7 (1100 lines mode)
Frame 8, 9 & 10 (moon spectra)
Frame 11 (67 lines mode)
Frame 12 (67 lines mode)
Frame 13 (67 lines mode)
Frame 14 (1100 lines mode)
Frame 15 (67 lines mode)
Frame 16 (67 lines mode)
Frame 17 (67 lines mode)
Frame 18 (1100 lines mode)
Frame 19 (1100 lines mode)
Frame 20 (1100 lines mode)
Frame 21 (1100 lines mode)
Frame 22 (1100 lines mode)
Frame 23 (1100 lines mode)
Frame 24 (1100 lines mode)
???

 

Frame 25

 

Frame 26 (1100 lines mode)
Frame 27 (1100 lines mode)
Frame 28 (1100 lines mode)
Frame 29 (67 lines mode)

 

Camera system data:

Scanning
1100 & 67 lines
Frames
29 possible total frames, 27 obtained, 26 transmited

Transmission
  
Digital pulse-position modulation
 
Objective
  
106 mm