NASA has released the first images of Earth taken by astronauts aboard its Artemis II mission, offering a detailed view of the planet as the crew travels toward the Moon. The photographs, captured from inside the Orion spacecraft, show Earth from a distance with visible atmospheric layers, illuminated landmasses, and distinct curvature.
The images were taken by mission commander Reid Wiseman using a tablet device equipped with a camera. They include views of Earth during sunset, with auroras visible near the poles and bands of zodiacal light, along with nighttime scenes showing clusters of artificial lights across continents, according to CNN.
One of the photographs captures Earth as sunlight fades behind the planet, highlighting its curved edge and the thin atmospheric glow that surrounds it. Auroras are visible in both hemispheres, while a faint band of zodiacal light appears near the horizon. Another image, taken with a shorter exposure, focuses on the night side of Earth, where dense concentrations of city lights outline major population centers.
A separate photograph, taken through a spacecraft window, presents Earth as a distant sphere in space. This perspective echoes earlier descriptions of the planet as a “pale blue dot,” a term widely associated with images captured during earlier space missions. The images were taken shortly after the spacecraft completed its translunar injection maneuver, placing it on a trajectory toward the Moon.
Crew members described the experience of observing Earth from deep space as visually distinct from low Earth orbit views. Mission specialist Christina Koch noted the contrast between the brightly lit daytime side and the softer illumination of the planet at night. The crew reported pausing routine activities to observe and document the views.
Wiseman also described a moment when the spacecraft was reoriented during sunset, allowing a continuous view of Earth from pole to pole. He noted that continents including Africa and Europe were visible, along with faint auroral activity near the polar regions.
Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen described observing the dark side of Earth illuminated by reflected light, calling it an uncommon visual experience. The crew indicated that the views led them to delay scheduled activities, including meals, in order to continue observing and photographing the planet.
The Artemis II mission is NASA’s first crewed flight under its Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the Moon and establish a sustained presence. The mission provides astronauts with extended views of Earth from deep space, a vantage point not widely experienced since the Apollo era.
The release of these images marks an early milestone in the mission. Additional visual data is expected as the spacecraft continues its journey toward the Moon and back to Earth.
