NASA Unveils Historic 'Earthset' Photograph from Artemis II Mission
NASA has released a historic photograph showing Earth dipping below the lunar horizon, captured by the Artemis II crew during their record-setting lunar flyby. This remarkable image, dubbed "Earthset," comes more than 57 years after the iconic "Earthrise" photograph was taken during the Apollo 8 mission in December 1968.
Capturing a Celestial Moment
The photograph was taken through the Orion spacecraft window at 6:41 p.m. EDT on April 6, 2026, as the Artemis II crew conducted their lunar flyby. The image shows Earth's brilliant blue hue disappearing behind the desolate grey lunar landscape, creating a striking visual contrast against the vast darkness of space.
"Humanity, from the other side," the White House commented when sharing the photograph on social media platform X. "First photo from the far side of the Moon. Captured from Orion as Earth dips beyond the lunar horizon."
Echoing Space History
The "Earthset" photograph deliberately echoes the legendary "Earthrise" image captured by U.S. astronaut Bill Anders during the Apollo 8 mission. That historic photograph, taken during the first space mission to carry humans around the Moon, has been celebrated as one of the most iconic images in human history and was included in Life magazine's 2003 book "100 Photographs That Changed the World."
While Apollo 8 orbited the Moon ten times without landing in 1968, the Artemis II mission represents a new chapter in lunar exploration, with the crew of four astronauts conducting a flyby that sets new records for human spaceflight.
The Artemis II Crew and Mission
The historic photograph was captured by the four-member Artemis II crew: U.S. astronauts Reid Wiseman, Christina Koch, and Victor Glover, along with Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen. Their mission involves looping around Earth's natural satellite as part of NASA's broader Artemis program, which aims to pave the way for a Moon landing scheduled for 2028.
During their mission, the astronauts have reported observing lunar surface features in vivid detail and later witnessed a solar eclipse when the Moon passed in front of the Sun. The White House also shared a NASA photograph of this eclipse, noting it revealed "a view few in human history have ever witnessed."
A New Perspective on Earth
The release of the "Earthset" photograph represents more than just another space image—it symbolizes humanity's continued exploration beyond our planet and offers a fresh perspective on our home world. As Earth appears to set behind the lunar horizon from the vantage point of the Orion capsule, the photograph serves as a powerful reminder of our planet's fragility and beauty when viewed from deep space.
NASA's decision to share this image on social media platforms, along with the White House's participation in promoting it, underscores the cultural and scientific significance of this moment in space exploration history. The photograph bridges decades of space exploration, connecting the pioneering achievements of the Apollo era with the ambitious goals of the Artemis program.
