Earthset and a solar eclipse: Nasa releases first images from Moon fly-by
NASA Unveils Artemis II’s Lunar Fly-by Images
During a recent lunar pass, the Artemis II crew captured initial imagery that highlights their journey around the Moon. One image depicts an Earthset, showcasing Earth briefly visible beyond the Moon’s rugged surface. Another image captures a solar eclipse, as the Moon obscured the Sun during the mission’s six-hour trajectory. The specific astronaut who took these photographs remains unidentified by NASA, which is still analyzing the data from the return leg to Earth.
A Celestial Connection to History
The Earthset photo evokes the 1968 Apollo 8 Earthrise image, a defining moment in space exploration. That iconic shot, taken by Bill Anders, revealed Earth as a fragile blue orb against the vastness of space. The new image, though taken during a different mission, mirrors that same emotional resonance. NASA emphasized the significance of the Earthrise photograph, noting it was captured through the Orion spacecraft window at 18:41 Eastern Daylight Time (2341BST) on Monday.
“The dark portion of Earth is experiencing nighttime. On Earth’s day side, swirling clouds are visible over the Australia and Oceania region,” NASA stated. “In the foreground, Ohm crater has terraced edges and a flat floor interrupted by central peaks. Central peaks form in complex craters when the lunar surface, liquefied on impact, splashes upwards during the crater’s formation.”
A Unique Eclipse Experience
The solar eclipse during the fly-by was a standout moment for the crew. From their vantage point near the Moon, they observed nearly 54 minutes of totality—far longer than the fleeting glimpses seen from Earth. A bright spot to the left in the image identifies Venus. Victor Glover described the event as “sci-fi” and “unreal,” capturing the surreal beauty of the Sun’s corona.
“This continues to be unreal,” Glover remarked. “The Sun has gone behind the Moon and the corona is still visible, and it’s bright and creates a halo almost around the entire moon. The Earth is so bright out there and the Moon is just hanging in front of us.”
Although satellite images have documented the Moon’s far side since 1972, the astronauts’ firsthand perspective during the fly-by adds a human dimension to the data. They recorded audio commentary, which NASA scientists will study for new insights. The final image in the series shows Earthrise, as the planet reappeared in their view after the lunar pass. This moment, like the Apollo 8 shot, underscores the profound impact of space exploration on our understanding of Earth’s place in the cosmos.
