Artemis II Astronaut Captures Stunning Moon Photo with iPhone 17 Pro Max

The image shows the Chebyshev crater on the Moon's far side, taken with 8x zoom.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 11:55am

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A bold, abstract painting in the style of Hilma af Klint, featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circles, and precise spirals in earthy tones of brown, ochre, and sage green, conceptually representing the structural order and geological features of the lunar surface.The Artemis II astronauts capture a stunning new perspective of the Moon's surface using the advanced camera technology in their iPhone 17 Pro Max smartphones.San Diego Today

Astronauts aboard the Artemis II mission have captured stunning photos of the Moon's surface using their iPhone 17 Pro Max smartphones. Mission commander Reid Wiseman snapped a remarkable image of the Chebyshev crater on the far side of the Moon, showcasing the impressive 8x zoom capabilities of the latest iPhone model. These photos continue to impress as the Orion spacecraft heads back to Earth after circling the Moon.

Why it matters

The ability for astronauts to capture high-quality images of the Moon using consumer-grade smartphone cameras highlights the rapid advancements in mobile photography technology. These photos provide a new perspective on lunar exploration and demonstrate how everyday devices can be used to document historic space missions.

The details

During a NASA livestream, the agency shared Wiseman's photo of the Chebyshev crater, taken using the 8x zoom function on his iPhone 17 Pro Max. The Orion spacecraft, which is carrying the Artemis II crew, has used the Moon's gravity to turn around and begin its journey back to Earth. In addition to the iPhones, the astronauts also have GoPro cameras and Nikon DSLRs on board to capture various aspects of the mission.

  • The Artemis II mission launched in early April 2026.
  • The Orion spacecraft circled the Moon and is now heading back to Earth.
  • The astronauts are expected to splash down off the coast of San Diego on April 10, 2026.

The players

Reid Wiseman

The mission commander of the Artemis II crew, who captured the stunning photo of the Moon's surface using his iPhone 17 Pro Max.

Orion Spacecraft

The spacecraft carrying the Artemis II astronauts, which has circled the Moon and is now returning to Earth.

NASA

The space agency that is overseeing the Artemis II mission and shared the astronauts' photos during a livestream.

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What’s next

The Artemis II crew is expected to splash down off the coast of San Diego on April 10, 2026, marking the successful completion of their historic mission around the Moon.

The takeaway

The stunning photos captured by the Artemis II astronauts using their iPhone 17 Pro Max smartphones showcase the remarkable advancements in mobile photography technology and its potential applications in space exploration. These images provide a new perspective on the Moon and demonstrate how everyday devices can be used to document historic moments.