Earthset and a solar eclipse: Nasa releases first images from Moon fly-by

Earthset and a solar eclipse: Nasa releases first images from Moon fly-by

NASA has unveiled the initial images captured by Artemis II crew members during their lunar flyby. The first photo, displayed above, depicts an Earthset as the astronauts observed Earth emerging from behind the Moon’s rugged terrain. A second image, shown below, captures the stunning solar eclipse that occurred while the crew was positioned near the Moon’s surface.

The astronauts, currently on their way back to Earth after the flyby, did not disclose who took the photographs. This Earthset image evokes memories of the iconic 1968 Earthrise photograph, taken by Bill Anders during Apollo 8’s mission. That image, which showed Earth rising above the Moon, remains a powerful symbol of environmental awareness and human exploration.

NASA provided a detailed account of the Earthrise shot, noting it was captured through the Orion spacecraft window at 18:41 Eastern Daylight Time (2341BST) on Monday. “The dark portion of Earth is experiencing nighttime. On the illuminated side, swirling clouds are visible over the Australia and Oceania region,” NASA explained. “In the foreground, Ohm crater has terraced edges and a flat floor interrupted by central peaks. These peaks form in complex craters when the lunar surface, liquefied on impact, splashes upward during the crater’s creation.”

“This continues to be unreal,” Victor Glover remarked. “The Sun has gone behind the Moon and the corona is still visible, and it’s bright and creates a halo almost around the entire moon. ‘The Earth is so bright out there and the Moon is just hanging in front of us.'”

During the six-hour flyby, the crew experienced a period of radio silence as their capsule was positioned on the Moon’s far side. Witnessing a solar eclipse was a notable moment, with the astronauts describing it as a highlight of the mission. From their vantage point, the eclipse lasted nearly 54 minutes, significantly longer than the fleeting view typically seen from Earth.

Visible to the left of the frame in the eclipse image is Venus, a striking contrast to the celestial event. The astronauts’ firsthand experience of the Moon’s far side, which has been imaged by satellites since 1972, adds a unique perspective that NASA’s scientists are eager to analyze. They are reviewing the crew’s audio descriptions of their observations for potential new insights.

The second photograph, which follows the first, illustrates Earthrise as the planet reappeared in the astronauts’ view after their time on the Moon’s far side. This moment, captured during the mission, underscores the significance of human presence in space, offering a rare and personal glimpse of Earth against the vastness of space.