Artemis II Astronaut Describes 'Sci-Fi' Views of Lunar Far Side

Victor Glover shares stunning observations from the historic Artemis II lunar flyby.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 8:08am

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A bold, abstract painting in earthy tones depicting the Artemis II spacecraft's lunar flyby, with sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circles, and precise spirals representing the spacecraft's movement, the solar eclipse, and the Earth beyond the Moon's horizon.The Artemis II crew's rare vantage point during their lunar flyby revealed stunning celestial phenomena, including a prolonged solar eclipse and a glimpse of Earth beyond the Moon's horizon.Cape Canaveral Today

During the Artemis II mission's lunar flyby, astronaut Victor Glover described the crew's views of the far side of the Moon as 'unreal' and 'sci-fi.' The astronauts witnessed a long solar eclipse, with the Sun's corona visible as a steady ring of light, and captured rare images of Earth partly hidden behind the lunar surface.

Why it matters

The Artemis II mission marks the first time humans have traveled this far from Earth since the Apollo era. The crew's firsthand accounts and imagery from the lunar flyby provide a unique perspective on the far side of the Moon, which has mostly been studied through robotic missions. These observations will be valuable for future crewed missions to the Moon.

The details

During the flyby, the Orion spacecraft moved behind the Moon, temporarily losing communication with Earth. When contact was restored, the crew shared their remarkable experiences. Glover described seeing the Sun's corona as a bright halo around the Moon during a solar eclipse that lasted nearly 54 minutes. The astronauts also captured images showing Earth partially obscured by the lunar surface, a phenomenon known as an 'Earthset.' Additionally, they observed features of the lunar far side, including the Ohm crater with its terraced edges and central peaks.

  • The Artemis II lunar flyby lasted several hours on April 1, 2026.
  • The solar eclipse experienced by the crew lasted close to 54 minutes.

The players

Victor Glover

An Artemis II astronaut who shared vivid descriptions of the crew's observations during the lunar flyby.

Artemis II

The second mission in NASA's Artemis program, designed to test systems and human performance for future crewed missions to the Moon.

Orion spacecraft

The spacecraft that carried the Artemis II crew on their lunar flyby, moving behind the Moon and temporarily losing communication with Earth.

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What they’re saying

“This continues to be unreal. The Sun has gone behind the Moon and the corona is still visible, and it's bright and creates a halo almost around the entire moon.”

— Victor Glover, Artemis II Astronaut

“The Earth is so bright out there and the Moon is just hanging in front of us.”

— Victor Glover, Artemis II Astronaut

What’s next

The crew's observations and imagery from the Artemis II lunar flyby will be reviewed and analyzed by NASA after the mission's completion, providing valuable insights for future crewed missions to the Moon.

The takeaway

The Artemis II lunar flyby marks a significant milestone in human space exploration, with the crew's firsthand accounts and stunning visuals offering a unique perspective on the far side of the Moon that has rarely been seen before. These observations will help shape the future of crewed lunar missions and our understanding of Earth's celestial neighbor.