Artemis ii crew: not the first to glimpse the moon's dark side

The narrative surrounding Artemis II has taken a curious turn. Claims that its crew will be the first humans to lay eyes on the far side of the Moon are, to put it mildly, inaccurate. While the mission holds undeniable significance, the history of lunar observation is richer—and more complex—than recent reports suggest.

A legacy of lunar sightseers

Let’s set the record straight. Back in December 1968, Frank Borman, James Lovell, and William Anders aboard Apollo 8 achieved what many now seem to have forgotten: they were the initial trio to witness the far side of the Moon. And they weren't alone. A total of 27 astronauts across nine Apollo missions—Apollo 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17—have previously gazed upon this enigmatic lunar hemisphere. Figures like James Lovell, John Young, and Eugene Cernan logged multiple missions, each contributing to this pioneering observation.

Now, Artemis II won't be orbiting the Moon, which means the duration of their observation will be considerably shorter than those of their Apollo predecessors. However, don't mistake this for a lack of novelty. The mission’s trajectory will allow them to observe previously unseen sections of the far side, specifically targeting the lunar polar regions at a comparatively low altitude of roughly 6,500 kilometers—a stark contrast to the 200-kilometer orbits of the Apollo missions.

Consider Mare Orientale, a massive lunar formation barely visible from Earth due to its position on the edge of the far side. The Artemis II crew will be among the first to witness its entirety. During their approach, they’ve already begun observing this geological wonder. The lighting conditions will also differ significantly from those experienced during the Apollo era. As they pass the far side, they’ll witness a crescent Moon, with approximately 20% illuminated by the sun, while the remaining 80% remains shrouded in darkness—a dramatically different perspective.

It's crucial to note: while the Artemis II crew will be among the first to see certain areas with their own eyes, high-resolution imagery of the Moon’s entire surface, captured by probes like the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, already exists. They won't be 'discovering' anything in the strictest sense, but the experience of directly observing these regions is undeniably unique.

The NASA team has meticulously crafted an observation plan, tailored to the specific lighting conditions and viewing angles during the lunar flyby. This plan, displayed on the crew’s tablets, prioritizes both scientific value and visibility. The mission's objectives are finely tuned to maximize data acquisition, even accounting for potential light flashes caused by micrometeoroid impacts.

The chatter surrounding Artemis II hasn't been entirely accurate either. Claims of witnessing a full eclipse during the mission are, frankly, misleading. While the Sun will be obscured from view during a portion of their transit, it’s akin to experiencing an eclipse every night – the Earth simply blocks the Sun. It’s a matter of perspective, not a celestial event.