Artemis II crew take ‘spectacular’ image of Earth

Artemis II Crew Captures ‘Spectacular’ Earth Images

NASA has unveiled the initial high-resolution photographs taken by the Artemis II crew as they embarked on their lunar journey. These visuals were captured following the crew’s final engine burn, which positioned them on a path toward our nearest celestial body. The lead astronaut, Reid Wiseman, described the images as ‘spectacular,’ highlighting the breathtaking view from orbit.

Among the first shots, a notable image titled ‘Hello, World’ portrays the Atlantic Ocean as a deep blue expanse. This scene is bordered by a faint atmospheric glow, with Earth briefly eclipsing the Sun and vibrant green auroras visible at both poles. The planet appears inverted, showcasing the western Sahara and Iberian Peninsula on the left, while the eastern part of South America is visible on the right. Venus, the bright planet at the bottom right, was also identified by NASA.

“We are getting a beautiful view of the dark side of the Earth, lit by the Moon,” mission specialist Jeremy Hansen shared with Houston’s mission control.

After the trans-lunar injection maneuver on Friday morning, the crew was captivated by the scenery, with astronauts reportedly unable to tear themselves away from the windows. Wiseman later contacted mission control to inquire about cleaning the windows, a result of their excitement over the space views.

Initially, Wiseman found it challenging to photograph Earth from the spacecraft, noting the difficulty in adjusting exposure settings at such a distance. “That’s what it feels like right now,” he remarked, comparing the experience to attempting a moon shot from his backyard.

Artemis II now follows a trajectory that will take the crew around the Moon’s far side and back. This marks the first human venture beyond Earth’s orbit since 1972. The mission plans to pass the Moon’s opposite side on 6 April and return to Earth by 10 April. A later image reveals the Earth divided by the line separating day and night, known as the terminator. NASA also shared a comparison between the 2026 view and a similar image from Apollo 17 in 1972.

“We’ve come so far in the last 54 years, but one thing hasn’t changed: our home looks gorgeous from space!” NASA concluded in its commentary, emphasizing the enduring beauty of Earth from orbit.