A one-of-a-kind lens used by Apollo 15 astronaut Dave Scott to photograph the moon is expected to fetch between $400,000 and $600,000 at auction.

A total of 293 pictures were taken using the Zeiss Tele-Tessar 500 mm f/8 lens, which was produced especially for the Hasselblad Electric Data Camera (HDC).

‘RR Auctions’ in Boston, which is selling the lens as part of a ‘Space and Aviation’ Auction, says 1971’s mission was partly to obtain the most extensive quantity and variety of photography of any moon mission to date.

The silver Carl Zeiss AG lens measures 12 inches in length and is engraved near the mount with NASA part numbers SEB 33100284-S/N 1006.

Special tabs were fitted to the rotational segments so that when the astronauts were wearing their space suits, they would still be able to adjust the focus and focal stop, with their gloves on.