Artemis II Crew Captures Epic Lunar Eclipse in Stunning Deep Space Photos

The Artemis II astronauts have already captured some incredible sights of the Earth and Moon during their journey. Now, they can add a new visual masterpiece to that list: a stunning total solar eclipse as seen from deep space.

The photo looks almost too perfect, with the Moon's crisp but uneven edges and bright stars dotting the area around it. Another photo shared by NASA shows the Earth, a portion of it cloaked in shadows, setting beyond the Moon, resembling the iconic 'Earthrise' image captured by the Apollo 8 astronauts nearly six decades ago.

The four-member crew witnessed the eclipse while beyond the Moon, creating a vastly different perspective than those seen from Earth. This unique vantage point allowed them to capture the celestial event in a way that has never been seen before.

"The Artemis II mission continues to deliver breathtaking visual experiences for both the crew and the world watching from home," said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. "These images not only showcase the incredible sights the astronauts are witnessing, but they also serve as a powerful reminder of the awe-inspiring nature of space exploration."

The Artemis II mission, which launched in April 2026, is the first crewed flight of NASA's new Artemis program, aimed at returning humans to the Moon. The four-person crew - commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, mission specialist Christina Koch, and payload specialist Jeremy Hansen - are currently on a 10-day journey around the Moon, paving the way for future Artemis missions that will land astronauts on the lunar surface.

"Seeing the eclipse and 'Earthrise' from this unique perspective is truly awe-inspiring," said Wiseman. "We're honored to be able to share these incredible images with the world and continue the legacy of space exploration."

The Artemis II crew is expected to return to Earth on April 28th, 2026, completing the first crewed mission around the Moon since the Apollo program. The success of this mission paves the way for the Artemis III landing, which aims to put the first woman and person of color on the lunar surface.