By Óscar Goytia | Journalist & Industry Analyst -
Tue, 04/07/2026 - 16:46
NASA has released the first high-resolution imagery from the Artemis II mission, capturing the lunar far side and a rare orbital solar eclipse. Collected during a seven-hour flyby on April 6, 2026, the data represents the first human-observed views of these regions in more than five decades.
The crew—Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen—documented the lunar surface using a suite of specialized cameras while traveling on a “free-return” trajectory that brought the spacecraft within close proximity of the Moon.
Earth sets at 6:41 p.m. EDT, April 6, 2026, over the Moon’s curved limb in this photo captured by the Artemis II crew during their journey around the far side of the Moon. Orientale basin is perched on the edge of the visible lunar surface. Hertzsprung Basin appears as two subtle concentric rings, which are interrupted by Vavilov, a younger crater superimposed over the older structure. The lines of indentations are secondary crater chains formed by ejecta from the massive impact that created Orientale. The dark portion of Earth is experiencing nighttime. On Earth’s day side, swirling clouds are visible over the Australia and Oceania region.Artemis II Pilot Victor Glover, Commander Reid Wiseman, and Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen prepare for their journey around the far side of the Moon by configuring their camera equipment shortly before beginning their lunar flyby observations.
Scientific Findings and Surface Observations
The imagery provides a trove of scientific data, including high-contrast views of impact craters, surface fractures, and ancient lava flows. These visuals are being cross-referenced with crew observations, which recorded variations in color and texture across the lunar terrain.
“Our four Artemis II astronauts brought back images so exquisite and rich in scientific value that they will inspire generations to come,” said Nicky Fo, Associate Administrator, Science Mission Directorate, NASA.
During the flyby, the crew reported six distinct meteoroid impact flashes on the Moon’s darkened surface. Jacob Bleacher said the high-resolution imagery is now confirming the astronauts’ real-time observations, which initially appeared more detailed than low-resolution telemetry suggested.
NASA’s Orion spacecraft captures the Moon and the Earth in one frame during the Artemis II crew’s deep space journey at 6:42 p.m. ET on the sixth day of the mission. The right side of NASA’s Orion spacecraft is seen lit up by the Sun. A waxing crescent Moon is visible behind it. And then, a crescent Earth, tiny compared to the Moon, is about to set below the Moon’s horizon on the right.
A close-up view taken by the Artemis II crew of Vavilov Crater on the rim of the older and larger Hertzsprung basin. The right portion of the image shows the transition from smooth material within an inner ring of mountains to more rugged terrain around the rim. Vavilov and other craters and their ejecta are accentuated by long shadows at the terminator, the boundary between lunar day and night. The image was captured with a handheld camera at a focal length of 400 mm, as the crew flew around the far side of the Moon.
Earthrise and Solar Corona
In addition to geological observations, the crew captured a rare view of a solar eclipse from deep space, documenting the Sun’s corona as it emerged from behind the Moon’s limb. They also recorded both “earthset” and “earthrise,” generating valuable data on how light and shadow interact with the Orion spacecraft’s optical systems at deep-space distances.
The Moon, seen here backlit by the Sun during a solar eclipse on April 6, 2026, is photographed by one of the cameras on the Orion spacecraft’s solar array wings. Orion is visible in the foreground on the left. Earth is reflecting sunlight at the left edge of the Moon, which is slightly brighter than the rest of the disk. The bright spot visible just below the Moon’s bottom right edge is Saturn. Beyond that, the bright spot at the right edge of the image is Mars.
Our planet draws closer to passing behind the Moon in this image captured by the Artemis II crew during their lunar flyby, about six minutes before Earthset. Earth is in a crescent phase, with sunlight coming from the right. The dark portion of Earth is experiencing nighttime. On Earth’s day side, swirling clouds are visible over muted blue in the Australia and Oceania region. The lines of small indentations on the Moon’s rugged surface are secondary crater chains. These structures are formed by material ejected during a violent primary impact.
Recovery Operations
The mission is now on its return trajectory, with splashdown targeted in the Pacific Ocean. NASA is aiming for Friday, April 10, at 8:07 p.m. EDT for recovery off the coast of San Diego.
The agency said the findings will help advance plans for a sustained human presence on the Moon, serving as a critical step toward future crewed missions to Mars.
By Óscar Goytia | Journalist & Industry Analyst -
Tue, 04/07/2026 - 16:46
