NASA releases clearest videos yet of 1969 moonwalk

WASHINGTON (CNN) - NASA released newly restored videos Thursday of two U.S. astronauts taking the world's first steps on the moon.

The images were released just four days before the 40th anniversary of the historic event that captivated the world on July 20, 1969.

Astronaut Neil Armstrong, now 78, was the first to venture onto the moon's surface after the lunar module Eagle landed on the so-called Sea of Tranquility. Following him was Buzz Aldrin, now 79.

The videos are far superior to the initial dark, fuzzy images people watched on their television sets at the time, although they are far from crisp.