April 11, 2026

3 min read

See NASA’s Artemis II mission around the moon in 12 stunning photos

The Artemis II mission’s 10-day odyssey around the moon and back was captured in stunning photographs at every moment. Here are 12 of our favorite images

By Joseph Howlett edited by Claire Cameron

A view of half the moon's disk, topped by a tiny crescent Earth. — NASA

NASA launched four astronauts on a pioneering journey around the moon—the Artemis II mission. Follow our coverage here.

The Artemis II moon mission might have come to an end after a 10-day voyage around the moon and back. But thankfully, the mission’s crew—Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen—as well as NASA’s cameras on Earth and in space, captured their daring journey from start to finish.

In fact, the mission was largely communicated to the world in photographs, especially those from Monday’s capstone lunar flyby. From the moment the Orion spacecraft left the launchpad last Wednesday, each milestone was made timeless with stunning, perspective-shattering visuals that were beamed down to Earth via the Orion spacecraft’s novel laser-based communications system.

Here’s a look at 12 of our favorite photographs from the mission, including the moon images that have inspired billions to gaze at the night sky anew.

On supporting science journalism

If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.

1. Launch Day

Thousands of people trekked to Florida’s Space Coast on April 1 to watch the liftoff of the first crewed moon mission since 1972. The launch went smoothly, and within a few hours, the astronauts were in a controlled orbit, positioning themselves for a maneuver to put them on course for the moon the next day.

Photo of spectators holding up their smartphones as a rocket sails upward into the daytime sky. — NASA

2. Spaceship Earth

On April 2 the Orion spacecraft burned 6,700 pounds of fuel to lurch out of Earth orbit and toward its distant target. Gazing out the capsule’s windows at an ever shrinking Earth, the astronauts committed to their long journey.

Astronaut Christina Koch looks out a window of the Orion spacecraft with a pale-white earth large in the distance. — NASA

3. The Terminator

As the sixth day of the mission began, the lunar observations kicked off with the impressive sight of the light and shadow lining the “terminator”—the border between the moon’s day and night hemispheres. “I wish I had some more time to just sit here and describe what I’m seeing, but the terminator right now is just fantastic,” said Glover to Houston mission control. Fortunately, we have photographs like this to imagine the spectacle.

Close-up of a crater-covered moon with half obscured by darkness, the border crossing from bottom left to top right. — NASA

4. Orientale Basin

There are many far-side features that lunar scientists couldn’t wait to get human eyes on for the first time. Satellite images can’t convey certain details that the human eye can, such as the hues and topography of particular features on the moon. Kelsey Young, NASA’s lunar science lead for the mission, called out the Orientale Basin as a feature that was particularly interesting and one that she hoped the astronauts would shed new light on. It’s a major asteroid impact crater that’s taught planetary scientists a lot about how such impacts look throughout the solar system.

Close-up of brightly lit moon with space visible in bottom right and a large dark crater in the center of the frame. — NASA

5. “Earthset”

In 1968 Apollo 8 astronaut William Anders took an impromptu photograph of Earth peeking out from behind the moon’s far side—it became known as “Earthrise,” an iconic image of our planet that has inspired space enthusiasts and environmental advocates alike. There were high expectations for Orion’s crew to relay something of equal beauty. And while they did capture an Earthrise, perhaps the best of their photographs to compare to the 1968 image is the stunning “Earthset.”

A crescent-lit Earth peeking out over a dark lunar surface like a half-obscured sunrise. — NASA

6. A New View of Earth

This indescribable photograph of both the moon and Earth in shadow, taken at 6:41 P.M. EDT on April 6, has become a sensation. It’s called “A New View of Earth.”

7. Family Portrait

Photographs taken with Orion’s exterior camera while on the far side of the moon showed the immense distance between the astronauts and home, with our tiny moon looking imposing in the foreground and Earth appearing as a tiny crescent in the frame’s edge.

At left, part of a spacecraft. At right, a large view of the crescent moon, with a tiny crescent Earth just to the right of it. — NASA

8. Eclipse with Planets

Even after the astronauts experienced Earthrise, the wonders were far from over. On Monday the crew also witnessed a rare solar eclipse from space. Amid the sudden blackness caused by the moon sweeping in front of the sun, the astronauts could see Saturn, Mars, Mercury, Venus and innumerable stars. This image shows the first three of those four planets (left to right), plus a scarcely visible Neptune in their midst.

The moon appears as a dark sphere, with faint white light visible from behind it. — NASA

9. Solar Eclipse of the Heart

In this photograph, Earth looms behind the moon’s left side, saturating the frame with its “earthshine”—sunlight reflected from the planet.

At left, part of a spacecraft. At right, the moon looking like a levitating black ball in front of a bright light source. — NASA

10. Bringing It In

With the arduous flyby science behind them on Tuesday, the crew finally had a moment to celebrate. The mission’s core goal was an unqualified success, thanks to their diligence.

Four astronauts share a group hug inside a small cluttered spacecraft. A novelty plush of the moon with an Earth hat looks on longingly. — NASA

11. Splashdown!

At 8:07 P.M. EDT on Friday, the crew of Orion splashed down safe and on schedule, capping off a mission packed with groundbreaking science and historic firsts.

A tiny spacecraft with two large parachutes above lands on a blue Pacific Ocean. — NASA

12. Moon Joy Comes Home

After Navy divers cautiously retrieved the astronauts from their floating vessel and brought them onboard the USS John P. Murtha, millions rejoiced worldwide to see them celebrating a successful return.

Two astronauts in orange space suits pose gleefully after a safe landing. — NASA

It’s Time to Stand Up for Science

If you enjoyed this article, I’d like to ask for your support. Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in that two-century history.

I’ve been a Scientific American subscriber since I was 12 years old, and it helped shape the way I look at the world. SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe. I hope it does that for you, too.

If you subscribe to Scientific American, you help ensure that our coverage is centered on meaningful research and discovery; that we have the resources to report on the decisions that threaten labs across the U.S.; and that we support both budding and working scientists at a time when the value of science itself too often goes unrecognized.

In return, you get essential news, captivating podcasts, brilliant infographics, can't-miss newsletters, must-watch videos, challenging games, and the science world's best writing and reporting. You can even gift someone a subscription.

There has never been a more important time for us to stand up and show why science matters. I hope you’ll support us in that mission.

Thank you,

David M. Ewalt, Editor in Chief, Scientific American