Astronaut Films Stunning Moonset on iPhone During Artemis 2 Mission

NASA's Artemis 2 crew captured breathtaking views of the Earth setting behind the moon during their lunar flyby.

Apr. 20, 2026 at 10:22am

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A bold, abstract painting in soft blues, greens, and grays depicting the Earth and Moon in a cosmic dance, with sweeping geometric arcs and precise planetary circles conveying the structural order of the universe.An astronaut's iPhone captures the breathtaking sight of Earth setting behind the Moon, a rare glimpse of the cosmos from the most foreign seat imaginable.San Diego Today

NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman has delighted skywatchers online after posting a short, unvarnished video of the moon—shot on an iPhone while aboard the Artemis 2 spaceflight. The clip, which has been viewed over 8.1 million times, shows the moon framed in the foreground as the Earth slowly sets in the background, offering a unique perspective from the most 'foreign seat in the cosmos'.

Why it matters

The Artemis 2 mission was NASA's first crewed Artemis flight and a critical end-to-end test of the agency's deep-space capabilities as it works toward sustained lunar exploration and future missions farther into space. Wiseman's iPhone footage provides a rare, intimate glimpse into the awe-inspiring experience of the astronauts aboard.

The details

Wiseman explained that he reached for his iPhone rather than a professional camera because he 'could barely see the Moon through the docking hatch window', and the iPhone was 'the perfect size to catch the view'. The footage shows Wiseman's crewmates, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen, also taking in the stunning sight, with Koch capturing 'exceptional Earthset photos through the 400mm lens'.

  • The Artemis 2 crew returned safely to Earth on April 10, 2026, splashing down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego, California.
  • Wiseman posted the iPhone video on X on April 20, 2026.

The players

Reid Wiseman

A NASA astronaut who captured the stunning iPhone footage of the moonset during the Artemis 2 mission.

Victor Glover

A NASA astronaut who was part of the Artemis 2 crew and watched the Earthset alongside Wiseman.

Christina Koch

A NASA astronaut who was part of the Artemis 2 crew and captured 'exceptional Earthset photos through the 400mm lens' during the mission.

Jeremy Hansen

A Canadian Space Agency astronaut who was part of the Artemis 2 crew and watched the Earthset alongside Glover.

Artemis 2

NASA's first crewed Artemis flight and a crewed lunar flyby mission, testing the agency's deep-space capabilities.

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What they’re saying

“Would you look at that, man”

— Reid Wiseman

“Wow”

— Unidentified crew member

“Wow. Dude, no way.”

— Reid Wiseman

What’s next

The Artemis 2 mission was a critical step towards NASA's goal of sustained lunar exploration and future deep-space missions. The agency is now preparing for the Artemis 3 mission, which aims to land astronauts on the lunar surface for the first time since the Apollo program.

The takeaway

Wiseman's iPhone footage from the Artemis 2 mission provides a rare, intimate glimpse into the awe-inspiring experience of astronauts exploring the cosmos. It serves as a powerful reminder of the human capacity for wonder and the continued importance of space exploration in expanding our understanding of the universe.