Earthset and Eclipse: First Artemis II Moon Fly-By Images
Earthset and Eclipse: First Artemis II Moon Fly-By Images
First Artemis II images show an Earthset over the lunar horizon and a solar eclipse, echoing Earthrise in stunning space photography.
Artemis II astronauts released the first photographs during their six hour fly-by of the Moon. The opening image captures an Earthset with our blue planet peeking above a cratered lunar horizon, a nod to Earthrise seen during Apollo 8.
A second photo shows the solar eclipse as the Moon blocks the Sun, a rare sight framed by the Orion spacecraft window. The mission team has not said which crew member took the pictures.
The Earthset echoes the famous 1968 photo from Apollo 8, highlighting the fragile blue planet against the vastness of space. The image also shows swirling clouds over the Australia Oceania region on the day side, and Ohm crater in the foreground with terraced edges and a flat floor.
NASA described the moment as a five hour window of observation, with a radio blackout when the capsule was behind the Moon. The eclipse, the Earthset, and the glow of the Sun corona near the lunar limb are among the highlights the crew witnessed during a six hour flyby before returning to Earth.
These images mark a milestone on the path to future crewed lunar missions as Artemis II continues its return journey toward Earth.
