NASA book presents Apollo mission photos

WASHINGTON, May 19 (UPI) -- The U.S. space agency has produced a new book chronicling Apollo mission 7 through 17 using photographs selected by the astronauts.

The book -- "Apollo: Through the Eyes of the Astronauts" -- was produced by NASA and Abrams Books. It will be published in June, in advance of the 40th anniversary of Apollo 11's historic lunar landing, which occurred July 20, 1969.

"Most Americans remember the Apollo astronauts as brave test pilots, engineers and scientists," Bob Jacobs, acting NASA assistant administrator for public affairs, said. "However, one could argue that many of these explorers also were talented artists. They documented history while working in a very dangerous and hostile environment, and many of their images rival the beauty and historic significance of any picture captured by professional photographers."

The new book features a foreword by University of Cambridge Professor Stephen Hawking, the author of "A Brief History of Time," and his daughter, Lucy Hawking, a journalist and novelist.

NASA said the book is to be available in retail and online bookstores by early June.