Magnificent desolation

"Magnificent desolation" is the phrase Aldrin used to sum up the lunar landscape. "I was struck by the contrast between the starkness of the shadows and the desertlike barrenness of the rest of the surface. It ranged from dusty gray to light tan and was unchanging except for one startling sight: our LM sitting there with its black, silver, and bright yellow-orange thermal coating shining brightly."