NASA’s Artemis II Mission Update: Stunning Far Side Moon Images
On Monday, April 6, the Artemis II crew aboard the Orion spacecraft took a remarkable photo of Earth setting behind the Moon’s horizon.
Artemis II Earthset Image
Called "Earthset," the image shows our pale blue planet, with bright white clouds, slipping behind the Moon’s rugged, cratered surface.
You can see the dark side of Earth alongside the bright daytime, with swirling clouds over Australia and Oceania.
In the foreground, the Ohm crater stands out with its terraced edges and a flat floor that is "interrupted by central peaks."
NASA Artemis II mission explains that these peaks form in complex craters when the lunar surface, melted by the impact, pushes upward as the crater takes shape.
"The Artemis II crew captured this view of an Earthset on April 6, 2026, as they flew around the Moon.
Earth from Moon Photo
The image is reminiscent of the iconic Earthrise image taken by astronaut Bill Anders 58 years earlier as the Apollo 8 crew flew around the Moon," NASA wrote in the caption.
The White House quoted the image, calling it 'humanity from the other side' whilst sharing another new photo that shows a solar eclipse from space.
The eclipse occurred Monday evening, toward the end of the mission's hours-long lunar flyby, when the sun slipped behind the moon.
Artemis Mission Update
Artemis II is NASA’s first crewed lunar flyby in more than 50 years. It serves as an important test flight for the Artemis program, which aims to land astronauts on the Moon by 2028. This mission will test the SLS rocket and Orion capsule, helping prepare for ongoing lunar exploration and future trips to Mars.
NASA Space Photography
Mission Commander Reid Wiseman leads the Artemis II crew, which also includes NASA astronauts Victor Glover and Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen from the Canadian Space Agency.
During the historic flyby on Monday, the four astronauts spent about seven hours taking photos and making notes about the Moon’s surface features.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about this topic
The Artemis II Crew captured a historic photo of Earth from the moon's dark side.
The photo was taken during their mission, which is part of NASA's Artemis II program.
The photo is historic because it showcases Earth from a unique angle, never seen before from the dark side of the moon.
The Artemis II Crew consists of astronauts selected by NASA to orbit the moon on their mission.
The mission aims to prepare for future lunar landings and deep space exploration, including the eventual return of humans to the moon.
