moonchild

The Artemis II crew captured this view of an Earthset on April 6, 2026, as they flew around the Moon. The image is reminiscent of the iconic Earthrise image taken by astronaut Bill Anders 58 years earlier as the Apollo 8 crew flew around the Moon. The Apollo 8 mission was the first crewed spacecraft to circumnavigate the Moon.

The Artemis II crew captured this view of an Earthset on April 6, 2026, as they flew around the Moon. The image is reminiscent of the iconic Earthrise image taken by astronaut Bill Anders 58 years earlier as the Apollo 8 crew flew around the Moon. The Apollo 8 mission was the first crewed spacecraft to circumnavigate the Moon.

This view from the Artemis II Orion spacecraft reveals a heavily cratered portion of the far side of the Moon. They vary in size, and in some areas, there are even craters within craters. The lighting here enhances contrast across the terrain, highlighting differences in surface features and giving insight into the Moon’s geologic history.

For more imagery from the mission, visit our Artemis II Multimedia Page.