Lunar odyssey captures stunning earthset shot

NASA's Artemis II mission has delivered a breathtaking image of Earth setting behind the Moon's craggy surface.

Earthset over the lunar terrain

Captured through the Orion spacecraft's window at 18:41 EDT on April 6, 2026, the photo shows a pale blue planet, dotted with clouds, slowly dipping below the horizon as it trails the Moon in the blackness of space.

In the foreground, the rimmed crater Ohm comes into view, its flat floor interrupted by central peaks formed by the moon's surface rebounding from the initial impact.

While not the first photo of Earth from the Moon's far side, this marks a milestone for the Artemis II crew, who aimed to recreate the iconic Earthrise shot taken by Apollo 17 astronauts decades ago.

However, their attempt at capturing a similar 'hello Earth' moment as they emerged from the Moon's shadow remains elusive for now.