Earthset and a solar eclipse: Nasa releases first images from Moon fly-by

Artemis II Crew Captures Historic Moon Images, Including Solar Eclipse

NASA has unveiled the initial images captured by Artemis II crew members during their lunar fly-by. The first photograph depicts an “Earthset,” a moment when the astronauts briefly saw Earth emerging from behind the Moon’s rugged terrain. A second image highlights the dramatic solar eclipse they witnessed as the Moon obscured the Sun. The agency has not disclosed which crew member took the photos, though they are currently on their way back to Earth following the mission.

Astro-Vision of Earthrise and Eclipse

The Earthset image draws parallels to the legendary Earthrise photograph taken by Bill Anders during Apollo 8’s 1968 mission. That iconic shot, which captured Earth against the backdrop of space, is often credited with sparking global environmental awareness. The Artemis II view similarly showcases our fragile blue planet in stark contrast to the Moon’s barren surface.

“The dark portion of Earth is experiencing nighttime. On Earth’s day side, swirling clouds are visible over the Australia and Oceania region,” NASA explained. “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.”

The astronauts recorded their observations during a six-hour fly-by, which included a 54-minute period of radio silence as their capsule passed the Moon’s shadow. This time allowed for unfiltered views of celestial events, such as the solar eclipse. The image above reveals the Sun’s corona faintly outlined around the Moon’s edge, a phenomenon rarely seen from such close proximity. Victor Glover, one of the crew members, called the eclipse “sci-fi” and “unreal,” emphasizing its otherworldly appearance. “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,” he added. “The Earth is so bright out there and the Moon is just hanging in front of us.”

NASA noted that the Earthrise photo was taken through the Orion spacecraft window at 18:41 Eastern Daylight Time (23:41 BST) on Monday. The bright spot to the left of the frame in the image is Venus. While satellite imagery has documented the Moon’s far side since the last human landing in 1972, the crew’s firsthand perspective during the fly-by is considered irreplaceable. Scientists will analyze the astronauts’ audio descriptions for insights into lunar features and atmospheric conditions.

As the astronauts returned to Earth’s view, they captured the Earthrise phenomenon—a moment when the planet reappeared in their field of vision. This event, which marked the first time humans had seen Earth from the Moon, remains a symbol of cosmic wonder and human exploration.