A collage of high-resolution space photos: the moon’s cratered far side, Earth rising behind the lunar horizon, and a solar eclipse seen from the moon’s surface.
A collage of high-resolution space photos: the moon’s cratered far side, Earth rising behind the lunar horizon, and a solar eclipse seen from the moon’s surface.

Science By June

These images offer a rare glimpse into humanity’s next chapter in space. If a friend or colleague follows space exploration, this may be worth sending their way.

Artemis II's Hidden Moon Views Revealed Story flow and key facts

NASA has released more than 12,000 new images from the Artemis II mission, offering unprecedented views of the moon’s surface and Earth from deep space. The April 2026 mission marked the first time humans traveled beyond low Earth orbit in over 50 years, flying farther from Earth than any previous crewed mission. Astronauts Reid Wiseman, Christina Koch, Victor Glover, and Canadian Jeremy Hansen captured these visuals during a 10-day journey aboard NASA’s Orion capsule, launched by the Space Launch System rocket.

Among the highlights are never-before-seen perspectives of the moon’s far side, visible only during the mission’s lunar flyby on April 6. The crew documented the rugged terminator line—the boundary between light and shadow—as well as ancient craters and lava flows. These images provide valuable data for understanding lunar geology and preparing for the Artemis III moon landing, currently planned for 2027.

The astronauts also made history by observing and photographing a solar eclipse from the moon’s vantage point, capturing the sun’s corona glowing around the darkened lunar disk. After completing their flyby, the crew safely returned to Earth on April 10, splashing down in the Pacific Ocean off San Diego. The Artemis II mission served as a critical test for NASA’s deep space systems ahead of future lunar landings.

Facts

  • NASA released over 12,000 new photos from the April 2026 Artemis II mission around the moon.
  • The Artemis II crew included NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Christina Koch, Victor Glover, and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen.
  • On April 6, the astronauts became the first humans to see and photograph the moon’s far side and a solar eclipse from lunar orbit.
  • The mission reached farther from Earth than any previous crewed flight, culminating in a lunar flyby before returning April 10 with a Pacific Ocean splashdown.
  • Artemis II tested NASA’s Space Launch System rocket and Orion capsule ahead of the planned Artemis III moon landing in 2028.

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