PHOTOS: Artemis II mission crew sends marvelous pictures of the moon

By Rena Rowe

April 7, 2026 12:28 pm

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NASA has released breathtaking new images captured by the Artemis II crew, offering a glimpse of a side of the moon never before seen by human eyes.

See the images:

The moon fully eclipsing the sun. — The moon fully eclipsing the sun. (NASA)

Earth next to the moon before Earthset. — The Artemis II crew captured this view of Earth next to the moon before Earthset during a lunar flyby, Monday, April 6, 2026. (NASA via AP)

Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman peers out of one of the Orion spacecraft's main cabin windows at Earth. — Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman peers out of one of the Orion spacecraft’s main cabin windows, looking back at Earth. (NASA)

Earth sets behind the Moon during a lunar flyby. — The Artemis II crew captured this view as Earth sets behind the moon during a lunar flyby on Monday, April 6, 2026. (NASA via AP)

Earthrise captured through the Orion spacecraft window. Credit: NASA — Earthrise captured through the Orion spacecraft window. (NASA)

A close-up view taken by the Artemis II crew of Vavilov Crater. Credit: NASA

Rings of the Orientale basin. Credit: NASA

The boundary between lunar day and night. Credit: NASA

Left: A close-up view taken by the Artemis II crew of Vavilov Crater. (NASA)
Top right: Rings of the Orientale basin. (NASA)
Bottom right: The boundary between lunar day and night. (NASA)

The four astronauts took the photos during their historic journey earlier this week, as they traveled farther from Earth than any humans in history.

The Artemis II crew. — The Artemis II crew — Mission Specialist Christina Koch (top left), Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen (bottom left), Commander Reid Wiseman (bottom right), and Pilot Victor Glover (top right). (NASA)

WHAT IS THE NASA ARTEMIS PROGRAM?

On Monday, the crew flew around the far side of the moon, completing a 7-hour lunar flyby that marks a major step forward in deep space exploration.

Astronaut and Artemis II Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen is seen taking images through the Orion spacecraft window. Credit: NASA

During the mission, the astronauts witnessed a remarkable phenomenon known as “Earthset,” where Earth appears to sink behind the moon’s horizon—an awe-inspiring reversal of the familiar sunrise and sunset views from Earth.

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