The following article is from The Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1979). It might be outdated or ideologically biased.

Anders, William

Born Oct. 17, 1933, in Hong Kong. American pilot and astronaut; air force major.

In 1955, Anders graduated from the United States Naval Academy with the degree of bachelor of science. Upon graduating from the Air Force Institute of Technology he received the degree of master of science (1962). He worked as an engineer in the field of nuclear physics at the Weapons Laboratory at Kirtland Air Force Base. In October 1963 he became a member of the group of astronauts of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration of the USA. Along with F. Borman and J. Lovell, he made a flight as third pilot on the Apollo 8 spacecraft, which was put into orbit around the earth on Dec. 21, 1968, and which was then launched from orbit toward the moon. The ship returned to earth on Dec. 27, 1968, after having completed ten orbits of the moon.

References in periodicals archive

24 (Christmas Eve) and, while the world was watching a live transmission on TV, astronauts William Anders, Jim Lovell and Frank Borman recited the first verses of the Bible.

Spiritual experiences common for astronauts

Frank Borman, James Lovell and William Anders became the first men to orbit the Moon in Apollo 8.

TODAY: MONDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2018; Fuel your mind and discover more moments from history supported by TV Channel. Freeview 19

Earthrise seen for the first time by human eyes - photographed by astronaut William Anders, Apollo 8, December 24, 1968

Dark side of the Moon, Christmas, 1968; THE FESTIVE SEASON OF 50 YEARS AGO

In 1968, astronaut William Anders looked out from his moon-circling Apollo 8 capsule and saw the mottled blue Earth emerging over the grey lunar horizon.

Earth will survive. We may not

HEROES: The Apollo 8 crew includes command module pilot James Lovell Jr., left; lunar module pilot William Anders, centre, and mission commander Frank Borman.

Men who dared

Tribune News Service John Stanmeyer, photojournalist and co-founder, VII Photo agency One image that summarises our fragility and the need to work for peace is the simple yet poignant photograph of Earth taken by the astronaut William Anders during 1968's Apollo 8 mission.

What was the most influential photograph in history?

Nelson - William Anders Nelson, 65, of Junction City, died Jan.

Local News

Houston, TX, April 11, 2016 --(PR.com)-- "Apollo 8: A Christmas Moon," a nostalgic look-back film and celebration of the pivotal, historic and decisively successful mission of Apollo 8, when three American astronauts (Commander Frank Borman, Command Module Pilot James Lovell, and Lunar Module Pilot William Anders) became the first humans to leave the Earth's gravitational force, has been named an Official Selection (NASA Remi Awards category) in the 49th Worldfest-Houston International Festival.

"Apollo 8: A Christmas Moon" Named Official Selection at 49th Worldfest-Houston International Film Festival

This image (Full Moon: Earthrise Seen for the First Time By Human Eyes) is a digital image made by American artist Michael Light from an original photograph taken by Apollo 8 astronaut William Anders on December 24, 1968.

Full Moon; BIG PICTURE

And in 1968, astronaut William Anders on the Apollo 8 mission snapped a picture of the blue Earth seen over the horizon of the moon, called "Earthrise.''

Light years nearby; 'Carina Nebula' visits WAM

Forty-five years ago this month, on December 24, 1968, the astronauts aboard the Apollo 8 mission (Frank Borman, James Lovell, and William Anders) captured one of the most iconic images of the century--Earth rising over the Moon's surface.

Planetary self-awareness: the author reflects on the 45th anniversary of "Earthrise."

Heritage Flight Museum, which is dedicated to preserving and flying historic military aircraft, according to its website, was founded in 1996 by William Anders (Greg Anders' father), an Apollo 8 astronaut.

Final takeoff? Leasing rift leads Heritage Flight Museum to consider departure from Bellingham