For your entertainment today we are featuring a photo that has become a cult classic, mostly in metaphysical circles. Back in the '70s this photo was paraded as proof of some kind of soul something. I don't remember any more what the big fuss was about. But I present it here because NASA's explanations don't seem to make sense. As you can see by the explanation for the main photo of the blue envelope around Alan Bean, first it says that the effect is due to a dust smudge which I find ridiculous although I'm not qualified to say that they are wrong. But it just doesn't make any logical sense. They're just fishing. The photo is Apollo 12 AS12-46-6826.

In another explanation, is that it's verly likely a dust smudge. They're not sure! Then they call the alleged dust smudge a phenomenon. Like I said, they really don't know for a fact. So, look at the photo and go to the URL below where you can see the series of photos that have more or less the same blue effect. Read the descriptions. Then post your impressions.

NOTE: Click on the large photo and when it appears click on it again to make it super-large. Don't bother wth the close-up 'cause it stays small and the big photo is superior.

Add the <a href="http://www" target="_blank">http://www</a>. hq.nasa.gov/pao/History/alsj/a12/images12.html because the URL may be shortened by the forum system.

The description of the photo: "Pete has turned toward the Central Station to get a "locator" to show the location of the small mound. Al seems to be adjusting the PSE thermal skirt. The blue glow around Al is due to a dust smudge on the center of the lens, which first appears in 6813."

Description for photo series: "Pete took this partial pan from the southeast rim of Middle Crescent just before he and Al headed back for the LM. The frames are AS12-46-6836 to 6844. Note the strong colors at the center of the righthand frames. Examination of successive frames indicate that this related to the camera lens, very likely a dust smudge. Kipp Teague notes "The lens aberration begins at as12-46-6813. It's a blue glow around the astronaut in 6818, again in 6826, a discoloration in other frames, affecting clarity in most, and it's not gone again until 6853 (back in the LM). Whatever the phenomenon is, it has a varying impact on color based on the brightness of the central object in the image. On bright subjects, the aberration adds a blue cast, and on darker subjects, the aberration adds a reddish cast." I note that it also seems to vary with sun angle."

6813 shows a very slight beginning light-blue tinge
6818 more developed
6819 is of a strong sun glare
6820 shows a slight "envelope"
6821 astronaut not in frame but a small, faint blue glow can be discerned especially if you look at the large photo.
6822 same effect as 21
6823 bluish not distinctive
6824 ditto
6825 same as 24, stereo companion

Could it be, Alan Bean was hit by an Alien Beam?

sorry, sounded better in my head...