NASA astronauts aboard the Artemis II mission have captured and released the first stunning images from their lunar flyby, including a remarkable ‘Earthset’ view and a rare lunar eclipse.
Earthset: Echoing Apollo’s Iconic Earthrise
The ‘Earthset’ photograph shows Earth dipping below the moon’s far-side horizon. Captured on April 6, 2026, as the crew orbited the moon, this image evokes the famous Earthrise photo taken by astronaut Bill Anders during the Apollo 8 mission 58 years ago.
NASA highlights that the Artemis II team achieved this perspective while flying around the moon, mirroring the historic Apollo view.
Artemis II Eclipse: Moon Shadows the Sun
The second image, ‘The Artemis II Eclipse,’ depicts the moon eclipsing the sun from lunar orbit. The White House described it as ‘Totality, beyond Earth,’ noting that few humans have witnessed such a sight: ‘From lunar orbit, the Moon eclipses the Sun, revealing a view few in human history have ever witnessed.’
Mission Milestones
These photos emerged hours after astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch of NASA, alongside Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen, completed the first crewed flyby of the moon’s far side in over 50 years. During their six-hour lunar pass, the team reached 252,756 miles (406,771 km) from Earth, exceeding Apollo mission distances and setting a new record.
Positioned 41,072 miles (66,098 km) above the lunar surface, the astronauts became the first in half a century to observe the far side with the naked eye. From this vantage, the moon appeared roughly the size of a basketball held at arm’s length.
Public Enthusiasm
Space enthusiasts celebrated the images online. One viewer remarked, ‘We are tiny. It’s something incredible.’ Another reflected, ‘Humanity keeps needing to leave Earth to remember what Earth is.’ A third called it ‘the most beautiful picture I have ever seen in my life.’
The eclipse photo drew similar awe, with comments like ‘absolutely breathtaking,’ ‘absolutely surreal… seeing the Sun vanish behind the Moon from lunar orbit,’ and ‘This is absolutely mind blowing, it almost doesnt look real. These brave astronauts are living their dream right now, so jealous!!!’
