Apr 3, 2026 - Science

PHOTO: See Earth from Artemis II's POV

Alex Fitzpatrick

NASA astronaut and Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman took this picture of Earth from the Orion spacecraft’s window after completing the translunar injection burn. There are two auroras (top right and bottom left) and zodiacal light (bottom right) is visible as the Earth eclipses the Sun. — Photo: NASA/Reid Wiseman

NASA just posted one of the first photos from Artemis II, capturing "Spaceship Earth" in all its blue-and-white glory.

In the photo, taken by mission commander Reid Wiseman: Two auroras (top right and bottom left), plus "zodiacal light" in the bottom right.

That's sunlight scattered by interplanetary dust.

Driving the news: Artemis II is now Moonbound, with a six-hour lunar orbit planned for Monday. (Mission updates ... Live tracker.)

Newly added to the plan: A solar eclipse, with the Sun hidden behind the Moon from the crew's perspective.

NASA calls it an "opportunity for them to look for flashes of light from meteoroids striking the Moon's surface, dust lofting above the edge of the Moon, and deep space targets, including planets."

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PHOTO: See Earth from Artemis II's POV

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