Earthset – NASA

The Artemis II crew captured this view of the Earth’s scenery on April 6, 2026, while flying over the Moon. As the astronauts flew over the far side of the Moon, the crew photographed and described terrain features, including impact craters, ancient lava flows, and surface cracks and ridges formed as the Moon slowly evolved. They also noted differences in color, brightness and texture, which provide clues for scientists to understand the composition and history of the lunar surface.

The image recalls the iconic image of Earthrise taken by astronaut Bill Anders 58 years earlier as the Apollo 8 crew flew past the Moon. The Apollo 8 mission was the first crewed spacecraft to circumnavigate the Moon.

For more images from the mission, visit our Artemis II multimedia page.

Image credit: NASA