Image Courtesy: NASA
NASA has released a new set of images captured during the Artemis II lunar flyby, including views of “Earthset” and a prolonged solar eclipse observed from deep space. The images were taken as the Orion spacecraft passed just 4,067 miles above the Moon’s surface, marking one of the closest human flybys in decades.
During the maneuver, the crew also reached a distance of approximately 252,756 miles from Earth, setting a new record for the farthest humans have traveled. Over the course of the seven-hour flyby, astronauts captured around 10,000 images while documenting lunar features and the surrounding space environment, according to NASA. More visuals can be found on the official Artemis II multimedia page.
One of the most notable observations was “Earthset,” where Earth appeared to sink behind the Moon’s horizon from the crew’s perspective. Unlike Earth-based views, the astronauts saw both the illuminated and dark sides of the planet, with visible cloud systems over regions such as Australia and Oceania. The phenomenon echoed earlier Apollo-era observations but was captured with modern imaging systems.
The crew also conducted detailed observations of the Moon’s far side, with roughly 21 percent of its surface illuminated during the flyby. Among the features identified were the Hertzsprung Basin and the Orientale Basin, a large impact structure with concentric rings that had not previously been seen directly by human observers. The astronauts proposed names for two smaller craters, including one named in tribute to a family member of mission commander Reid Wiseman.
Later in the flyby, the astronauts witnessed a solar eclipse from their vantage point near the Moon. Totality lasted nearly an hour, significantly longer than typical eclipses observed from Earth. During this period, the Moon completely blocked the Sun, revealing the solar corona and its fine structures. The crew also reported seeing planets such as Mars, Venus, and Saturn, along with stars and Earthshine.
The flyby required coordinated operations, with astronauts working in shifts over several hours to capture images and analyze lunar features, including ancient lava flows and impact craters. These observations are expected to contribute to ongoing research into the Moon’s formation and geological history.
As the spacecraft passed behind the Moon, communications with Earth were temporarily lost for about 40 minutes due to signal obstruction. Contact resumed once Orion emerged from the far side, allowing the transmission of data and imagery back to mission teams.
The release of these images highlights both the scientific and human aspects of the Artemis II mission, providing new visual data while supporting preparations for future lunar exploration and long-term missions under NASA’s Artemis program.
