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The first flyby images of the Moon captured by NASA\u2019s Artemis II astronauts during their historic test flight reveal some regions no human has seen, including a rare in-space solar eclipse. Released Tuesday, astronauts captured the images April 6 during the mission\u2019s seven-hour flyby of the lunar far side, showing humanity\u2019s return to the Moon\u2019s vicinity and opening a trove of scientific data.<\/p>\n
NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, have used a fleet of cameras to take thousands of photos. The agency released several images, with more expected in the coming days as the crew members are more than halfway through their journey and now headed home toward Earth.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur four Artemis II astronauts \u2014 Reid, Victor, Christina, and Jeremy \u2014 took humanity on an incredible journey around the Moon and brought back images so exquisite and brimming with science, they will inspire generations to come,\u201d said Dr. Nicky Fox, associate administrator, Science Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters in Washington.<\/p>\n
During the lunar flyby, the crew documented impact craters, ancient lava flows, and surface fractures that will help scientists study the Moon\u2019s geologic evolution. They monitored color, brightness, and texture differences across the terrain, observed an earthset and earthrise, and captured solar\u2011eclipse views of the Sun\u2019s corona. The crew also reported six meteoroid impact flashes on the darkened lunar surface.<\/p>\n
Scientists already are analyzing the downlinked images, audio, and data to refine the timing and locations of these events and compare them with observations from amateur astronomers. The new imagery also will help NASA better understand the Moon\u2019s geology and inform future exploration and science missions that will lay the foundation for an enduring presence<\/a> on the Moon ahead of future astronaut missions to Mars.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was remarkable listening to the crew describe the stunning views during the flyby,\u201d said Jacob Bleacher, NASA\u2019s chief exploration scientist at the agency\u2019s headquarters. \u201cAt first, their descriptions didn\u2019t quite match what we were seeing on our screens. Now that higher resolution images are coming down, we can finally experience the moments they were trying to share and truly appreciate the scientific return provided by these images and our other research on this mission.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Official NASA imagery for viewing and download is available on the agency website and digital platforms, including:<\/p>\n Media should follow NASA\u2019s media usage guidelines<\/a> for all publication and distribution of these images.<\/p>\n NASA is targeting 8:07 p.m. EDT (5:07 p.m. PDT) Friday, April 10, for the return of Artemis II off the coast of San Diego. NASA+ live return coverage begins at 6:30 p.m. \u00a0and will continue until NASA and Department of War personnel safely assist the crew out of Orion and transport them to the USS John P. Murtha.<\/p>\n Briefings, events, and 24\/7 mission coverage are streaming on NASA\u2019s YouTube<\/a>\u00a0channel and events will each have their own stream closer to their start time. Learn\u00a0how to\u00a0watch NASA content<\/a>\u00a0through a variety of online platforms, including social media.<\/p>\n As part of Golden Age of innovation and exploration, NASA will send Artemis astronauts on increasingly difficult missions to explore more of the Moon for scientific discovery, economic benefits, and to build on our foundation for the first crewed missions to Mars.<\/p>\n To learn more about the Artemis program, visit:<\/p>\n https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/artemis<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n -end-<\/p>\n Cheryl Warner \/ Katherine Rohloff
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1100
cheryl.m.warner@nasa.gov<\/a> \/ katherine.a.rohloff@nasa.gov<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n