NASA Orion Spacecraft Captures Stunning Earthset Over the Moon

NASA has released a series of images from the Artemis II mission, including a historic photograph of an Earthset captured as the Orion spacecraft passed over the far side of the moon. The image, taken on April 6, 2026, shows a crescent Earth descending behind the lunar horizon.

The photograph was captured at 6:41 p.m. EDT on April 6. From the perspective of the crew, the majority of the planet’s surface was veiled in shadow, with only a crescent illuminated by direct sunlight. The image reveals white clouds swirling over Oceana and Australia.

The crew of the Orion spacecraft, which they named Integrity, consists of NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, along with Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen.

Scientific Observations and Lunar Geography

The imagery captured during the flyby provides significant scientific data regarding the moon’s geologic evolution. The crew used a fleet of cameras to document surface fractures, ancient lava flows, and impact craters.

One prominent feature visible in the Earthset photo is the Ohm Crater. This crater is approximately 40 miles (64 kilometers) wide and is located near where the lunar horizon meets the shadowed side of Earth. The image highlights the crater’s sloping terraced rim and a prominent central peak.

According to NASA, central peaks in complex craters form when the lunar surface is liquefied upon impact and splashes upward during the formation process.

Rare Celestial Phenomena

In addition to the Earthset image, the Artemis II crew documented a rare in-space solar eclipse on April 6, 2026. During this event, the moon completely blocked the sun from the crew’s perspective.

This eclipse resulted in nearly 54 minutes of totality. The darkness allowed the crew to image stars that are typically too faint to be seen when imaging the moon. The resulting photos show the sun’s corona forming a glowing halo around the dark lunar disk, revealing details of the outer atmosphere usually hidden by solar brightness.

Other celestial bodies were also captured in the mission’s imagery. One photograph released by NASA shows the moon backlit by the sun, with Mars and Saturn visible as bright spots at the edges of the image.

Mission Timeline and Future Goals

The Artemis II mission is a 10-day historic test flight. The Earthset photo was captured on Flight Day 6. As of April 7, 2026, the crew is more than halfway through their journey and is currently heading back toward Earth.

The crew is scheduled to return to Earth on Friday, April 11, 2026, with a planned splashdown off the coast of California.

Our four Artemis II astronauts — Reid, Victor, Christina, and Jeremy — took humanity on an incredible journey around the Moon and brought back images so exquisite and brimming with science, they will inspire generations to come

Dr. Nicky Fox, associate administrator, Science Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters

While this mission marks the first time humans have flown around the far side of the moon in over 50 years, NASA has stated that a landing on the lunar surface will not occur until 2028 at the earliest.