Artemis II in Eclipse

Artemis II in Eclipse – Captured by the Artemis II crew during their lunar flyby on April 6, 2026, this image shows the Moon fully eclipsing the Sun. From the crew’s perspective, the Moon appears large enough to completely block the Sun, creating nearly 54 minutes of totality and extending the view far beyond what is possible from Earth. A glowing halo surrounds the dark lunar disk, with scientists investigating whether this effect is caused by the solar corona, zodiacal light, or a combination of both. Stars—typically too faint to capture when imaging the Moon—become visible in the darkness, while a faint glow outlines the nearside of the Moon, illuminated by light reflected from Earth. Credit: NASA.

Associated with the Artemis II mission, this image offers a rare and powerful perspective on a total solar eclipse seen from deep space. The extended duration, visibility of stars, and subtle Earthshine on the lunar surface highlight both the scientific value and visual beauty of this moment, capturing a phenomenon that can only be experienced from beyond our planet.