As the Artemis II crew flew around the far side of the Moon, they captured key scientific observations, photographs, videos, and records documenting critical observations to help scientists on the ground understand the composition and history of the lunar surface. Near the center of the view lies Hertzsprung basin, an ancient and expansive impact feature described by the Artemis II crew as darker in overall tone compared to surrounding terrain. Crew observations highlight a striking contrast in texture: the interior of Hertzsprung appears unusually smooth, “like a paved road,” while the outer regions transition into rougher, more jagged terrain. Subtle variations in brightness and color across the basin create a patchwork of lighter and darker areas, offering clues to its complex geologic history. Surrounding regions show evidence of ejecta and crater rays, with faint brownish and gray tones radiating across the highlands. Together, these features provide a dynamic view of one of the Moon’s oldest and most intriguing basins. Credit: NASA
Echoing the iconic Earthrise photo captured by the Apollo 8 astronauts in 1968, during the lunar flyby, the Artemis II crew captured a shot of Earthset as they passed behind the Moon’s far side. It is one of many photos taken during the seven-hour lunar flyby by the Artemis II crew on the Orion spacecraft. Credit: NASA
The Earth appears to be peeking out over the horizon of the Moon,but pictured here is actually an Earthset. During an Earthset, the planet appears to sink below the lunar horizon. In this scene, a partially lit crescent Earth drops behind the Moon as seen by crew on the Orion spacecraft. The image also shows the vast canvas of the Moon’s surface with its overlapping craters and basins. Credit: NASA
I missed their uploads earlier today, but these images of the Earth peeking out over the Moon's surface are stunning. Cute, even.
