
NASA has shared the first breathtaking views of Earth taken from the Artemis II mission as the crew continues its journey toward the moon.
The photos reveal Earth behind the Orion spacecraft, our home planet aglow with aurora.
One photo of Earth, taken Thursday by Artemis II commander Reid Wiseman from the Orion window, shows the planet backlit, with auroras visible at the top right and bottom left, Lakiesha Hawkins, deputy director for NASA’s Artemis program, said Friday during a news conference.
A zodiacal light is also visible at the bottom right as the Earth eclipses the sun, she said.
Another photo of Earth, also taken by Wiseman, shows a terminator line, meaning the line separating daylight and nighttime on the planet.
“What an amazing shot that he shared with us here,” she said.
The photos were taken after completing the translunar injection burn Thursday.
Hawkins said Friday, the third day of the Artemis II mission, that so far systems are normal and “the crew is in great spirit.”
The four crew members — NASA astronauts Wiseman, Christina Koch and Victor Glover and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen — launched Wednesday on the 10-day mission.
As of Friday, the crew is more than 100,000 miles from Earth, with about 150,000 miles to go to the moon.
The mission does not include a lunar landing, but is designed as a step toward a landing in 2028.
The next major milestone for the space pioneers will be Monday, when the crew is expected to fly around the moon.
That flyby could mark the farthest venture from Earth made by humans, surpassing the distance record of 248,655 miles set by the Apollo 13 astronauts in 1970.
This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
latest_posts
- 1
These men carry towers of birds through Mexico's streets. They say their tradition is dying out. - 2
Pick Your Favored method of transportation - 3
Winona Ryder didn't take the 'Stranger Things' plot lightly. How 'otherworldly' grief and a kidnapping in her hometown informed her character. - 4
One ant for $220: the new frontier of wildlife trafficking - 5
Figure out How to Score Huge with Open Record Rewards
Find the Marvels of the World with These Travels
10 Moves toward Start Your Own Effective Business
One third of Spanish pork export certificates blocked since swine fever outbreak, minister says
The Effect of Online Organizations on Society: Beating the Difficulties
Palestinian leader Abbas says elections only after Gaza war ends
Audits of Espresso Types: Which Mix Is for You?
Israeli president concerned over proposed renaming of park
The Benefits of Rehearsing Careful Nurturing
4 astronauts depart ISS, leaving behind just 3 crewmates to staff the orbiting lab













