NASA has not specified which astronaut took the images
Digital Desk: NASA has released the first images captured by astronauts aboard the Artemis II mission during their fly-by of the Moon.
One of the photographs features a striking “Earthset,” showing Earth appearing to sink beyond the Moon’s cratered horizon. Another image captures a breathtaking solar eclipse, as the Moon blocks the Sun, creating a glowing halo effect.
NASA has not specified which astronaut took the images. The crew, currently on their return journey to Earth, captured the photographs during a six-hour fly-by, including a period of radio silence when their spacecraft moved behind the Moon.
The “Earthset” image draws comparisons to the iconic “Earthrise” photograph taken by William Anders during the Apollo 8 mission in 1968, widely regarded as one of the most influential environmental images ever captured.
According to NASA, the image was taken through the Orion spacecraft window at 18:41 Eastern Daylight Time on Monday. The agency noted that the dark portion of Earth visible in the image represents nighttime, while swirling clouds can be seen over Australia and the Oceania region.
In the foreground, the Ohm crater is visible, featuring terraced edges and central peaks formed by the lunar surface rebounding after impact.
Astronaut Victor Glover described witnessing the eclipse as a highlight of the mission, calling it “sci-fi” and “unreal.” He remarked on the visible solar corona, which created a bright halo around the Moon.
“This continues to be unreal,” Glover said. “The Sun has gone behind the Moon, and the corona is still visible, creating a halo around the entire Moon.”
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