'Human minds shouldn't have to go through' this: Artemis II crew recalls unreal moment when Earth disappeared — Space photo of the week

A view of Earth from the moon, with half the Earth illuminated and the gray surface of the moon in the foreground.

Quick facts

What it is: "Earthset" as seen by the crew of NASA's Artemis II mission

Where it is: 4,070 miles (6,550 kilometers) above the lunar surface

When it was shared: April 6, 2026.

This striking image shows a crescent Earth slipping behind the moon's rugged limb. This "Earthset" was witnessed by the crew of NASA's Artemis II mission and is arguably the highlight of the first mission around the moon since 1972. Moments after this image was taken, the Orion spacecraft passed behind the moon, beginning a 31-minute communications blackout with Mission Control in Houston, Texas.