Artemis II Crew Captures Stunning Lunar Flyby Images

NASA astronauts share breathtaking views of the Moon and Earth during historic mission.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 3:54pm

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A bold, abstract painting in the style of Hilma af Klint, featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric planetary circles, and precise spirals in earthy tones of blue, green, and gold, representing the Artemis II lunar flyby and the crew's view of the Moon, Earth, and solar eclipse.The Artemis II crew's stunning images from their lunar flyby showcase the awe-inspiring beauty of our celestial neighbors.Houston Today

NASA's Artemis II mission, carrying four astronauts on a lunar flyby, has sent back a trove of high-resolution images revealing the stunning landscape of the far side of the Moon. The crew captured remarkable views of the lunar surface, the Earth rising behind the Moon, and a total solar eclipse during their out-of-this-world journey.

Why it matters

The Artemis II mission marks a major milestone in NASA's Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the lunar surface for the first time since the Apollo era. These stunning images provide a rare glimpse of the far side of the Moon and underscore the immense scientific and exploratory value of human spaceflight.

The details

During the Artemis II lunar flyby, the four astronauts—Mission Specialist Christina Koch, Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen, Commander Reid Wiseman, and Pilot Victor Glover—took turns describing the breathtaking landscape below and capturing high-resolution imagery. The images reveal the lunar surface in sharp detail, with the Earth rising in the background. The crew also witnessed a total solar eclipse, requiring them to wear shades during the initial phase.

  • The Artemis II mission flew around the Moon on Monday, April 7, 2026.
  • The crew was able to establish an optical link with ground stations on Earth on Monday night to send back the high-resolution images.

The players

NASA

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the independent agency of the executive branch of the United States federal government responsible for the civilian space program, as well as aeronautics and space research.

Christina Koch

A NASA astronaut and mission specialist on the Artemis II mission.

Jeremy Hansen

A NASA astronaut and mission specialist on the Artemis II mission.

Reid Wiseman

A NASA astronaut and commander of the Artemis II mission.

Victor Glover

A NASA astronaut and pilot of the Artemis II mission.

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What they’re saying

“The lunar surface fills the frame in sharp detail, as seen during the Artemis II lunar flyby, while a distant Earth sets in the background.”

— NASA

“During their flyby, the astronauts were able to take advantage of both a rising and setting Earth, as well as a solar eclipse. The moment of totality was brilliant.”

— NASA

What’s next

The Artemis II mission is a critical step towards the Artemis III mission, which aims to land the first woman and next man on the lunar surface by 2024. The data and imagery collected during the Artemis II flyby will help inform and prepare for the upcoming Artemis III landing.

The takeaway

The stunning images captured by the Artemis II crew showcase the incredible scientific and exploratory value of human spaceflight. These breathtaking views of the lunar surface and the Earth from space underscore the immense progress of the Artemis program and NASA's commitment to pushing the boundaries of human exploration.