Artemis II Releases Stunning Photos of Dark Side

As NASA’s Artemis II mission approaches the moon, astronauts are capturing gorgeous photographs, some of them of issues never seen before by the eyes of man — just like the darkish facet of the moon:

History in the making

In this new image from our @NASAArtemis II crew, you possibly can see Orientale basin on the precise edge of the lunar disk. This mission marks the first time all the basin has been seen with human eyes. pic.twitter.com/iqjod6gqgz

— NASA (@NASA) April 5, 2026

In another shot, they seize just how far-off from their home planet they’ve journeyed. Earth is just a sliver in a huge expanse of space:

One last look at Earth before we attain the Moon.

This view of the Earth was captured on April 5, the fourth day of the Artemis II mission, from inside the Orion spacecraft. The 4 astronauts will attain their closest method of the Moon tomorrow, April 6. pic.twitter.com/z2NJUGWkKc

— NASA (@NASA) April 5, 2026

They’re not just there for the sights, though; on Monday’s flyby, they hope to collect important data about our closest neighbor:

As Artemis II swings around the Moon on Monday, astronauts will monitor historic Apollo websites, scout future touchdown zones and seize uncommon views of close by planets.

NASA outlined the task Sunday during its daily Artemis II mission standing briefing at Johnson Space Center in Houston.

“The two Apollo sites they’ll be able to see here at the beginning are the Apollo 12 and 14 landing sites as they progress through the several hour period where the moon is illuminated,” Artemis II Lunar Science lead Kelsey Young said.

It’s arduous work:

No days off when you’re Moonbound.@Astro_Christina continues prep for tomorrow’s lunar flyby after finishing her workout.
Meanwhile, our whole world watches in anticipation with hope and pleasure as the @NASAArtemis II crew presses on toward the Moon. pic.twitter.com/iIiAiXHej0

— NASA (@NASA) April 6, 2026

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The Artemis II mission marks the first time in over 53 years — since Apollo 17 in December 1972 — that NASA has despatched American astronauts into deep space (outlined as past near-earth orbit).

Monday guarantees to be a fascinating day; right here’s the partial schedule (emphasis mine):

Monday, April 6

• 12:41 a.m.: Orion [the spacecraft that carries the four Artemis II astronauts around the Moon] enters lunar sphere of affect
• 2:20 a.m.: Crew sleep begins
• 10:50 a.m.: Flight Day 6 begins, Crew wake up
• 1 p.m.: NASA+ coverage of lunar flyby begins.
• 1:56 p.m.: The crew will surpass the report for human’s farthest distance from Earth beforehand set by Apollo 13, at 248,655 miles from Earth.
• 6:47 p.m.: Predicted loss of communications as crew heads behind the Moon (estimated 40-min.)
• 7:02 p.m. Orion closest method to the Moon
• 7:05 p.m.: Orion reaches most distance from Earth
• 8:35 p.m.: Orion enters period with Moon eclipsing the Sun
• 9:20 p.m.: Lunar statement period (flyby) concludes
• 9:32 p.m.: Solar eclipse period concludes
• 10:50 p.m.: Live downlink event

Like the gorgeous rescue this Easter Sunday of a U.S. pilot who had ejected inside enemy territory in Iran, the Artemis II mission reveals the unbelievable promise of American technology and the American spirit.

NASA will air live coverage of the lunar flyby Monday at 1 p.m. EST. I’ll be watching.

POV: You’re flying by the Moon.

This visualization is designed to show you what precisely the Artemis II astronauts will see exterior their window during their lunar flyby.

Here, the seven-hour visualization is compressed into 28 seconds. ⬇ (1/4) pic.twitter.com/2OMAy37oht

— NASA Solar System (@NASASolarSystem) April 5, 2026

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