Artemis II Captures Spectacular Images of ‘Earthset’ from Deep Space

For the first time in more than 50 years, NASA launched a mission to the Moon. A lot has changed since 1972, when we last checked in on the enormous, rocky satellite, but there is much to learn—and revisit—when it comes to traveling through deep space and considering what, as NASA describes it, a “long-term return” to our lunar companion could look like. The Artemis II mission, which is currently underway and scheduled to last a total of 10 days, has also released some remarkable images of our home planet.

A striking image of the Earth “setting” behind the cratered Moon takes a truly unique view of our planet and prompts us to consider our perspective. It’s reminiscent of one of the most iconic photographs of all time, known as “Earthrise,” which was snapped by astronaut William Anders during the 1968 Apollo 8 mission—the first crewed trip to the Moon.

A photo taken during the Artemis II mission around the Moon, showing the Earth setting beyond — The Earth setting beyond the Moon

Artemis II is scheduled to return to Earth on the evening of April 10, when the crew will splash down into the Pacific Ocean off the California coast.

A detailed image of the texture of the Moon's surface, photographed during the Artemis II mission — The Moon’s cratered surface

A photo taken during the Artemis II mission around the Moon, showing the dark side of the moon with an aura of sunlight around it — The far side of the Moon

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