Breathtaking Photos of Earth from Apollo 8 and Artemis II

The iconic 'Earthrise' and 'Earthset' images captured decades apart showcase the evolution of space exploration.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 3:08pm

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NASA has released stunning photographs of Earth taken from the Moon's orbit, first by the Apollo 8 crew in 1968 and more recently by the Artemis II mission in 2026. The 'Earthrise' and 'Earthset' images, captured decades apart, provide a unique perspective on our planet and the progress of space exploration.

Why it matters

These photographs are iconic representations of humanity's journey into space, from the pioneering Apollo missions to the modern Artemis program. They inspire awe and wonder, reminding us of our place in the universe and the fragility of our home planet.

The details

The 'Earthrise' photograph, taken by NASA astronaut Bill Anders during the Apollo 8 mission in 1968, was one of the first images of Earth seen from the Moon's orbit. Nearly 68 years later, the Artemis II crew captured the 'Earthset' image on April 6, 2026, as their spacecraft traveled 252,756 miles from Earth. Both missions were precursors to eventual Moon landings, with Apollo 11 following Apollo 8 and Artemis 4 planned to follow Artemis II.

  • In 1968, the Apollo 8 crew captured the iconic 'Earthrise' photograph.
  • On April 6, 2026, the Artemis II crew took the 'Earthset' image from the Orion spacecraft.
  • The Artemis II mission lasted 10 days and covered a total distance of 694,481 miles.

The players

Bill Anders

NASA astronaut who captured the 'Earthrise' photograph during the Apollo 8 mission in 1968.

Reid Wiseman

NASA astronaut who was part of the Artemis II crew that took the 'Earthset' photograph in 2026.

Victor Glover

NASA astronaut who was part of the Artemis II crew that took the 'Earthset' photograph in 2026.

Christina Koch

NASA astronaut who was part of the Artemis II crew that took the 'Earthset' photograph in 2026.

Jeremy Hansen

Canadian Space Agency astronaut who was part of the Artemis II crew that took the 'Earthset' photograph in 2026.

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What they’re saying

“One of the most iconic photos of our little blue planet was taken in 1968, and gave people riding along Spaceship Earth one of its first views.”

— Julia Gomez, Trending reporter, USA TODAY

“The crew of Artemis II traveled farther from Earth than any human has before, and ventured 252,756 miles from our planet.”

— Eric Lagatta, Space Connect reporter, USA TODAY Network

What’s next

NASA has announced that the Artemis 4 mission, targeted for 2028, will attempt the first Moon landing since the Apollo era. Before that, the Artemis 3 mission in 2027 will see astronauts in the Orion capsule meet and dock with lunar landers being developed by private companies.

The takeaway

These breathtaking photographs from the Apollo 8 and Artemis II missions serve as powerful reminders of humanity's ongoing exploration of space and our connection to the fragile Earth. They inspire awe and wonder, and represent the progress and evolution of space travel over the decades.