Earthset

Earthset – captured through the Orion spacecraft window at 6:41 p.m. EDT, April 6, 2026, during the Artemis II crew’s flyby of the Moon. A muted blue Earth with bright white clouds sets behind the cratered lunar surface. The dark portion of Earth is experiencing nighttime, while on its day side, swirling clouds are visible over the Australia and Oceania region. In the foreground, Ohm crater shows terraced edges and a flat floor interrupted by central peaks, formed when the lunar surface—liquefied on impact—rebounded upward during the crater’s formation. Credit: NASA.

Associated with the Artemis II mission, this image captures a rare and powerful perspective of Earth slipping behind the Moon, emphasizing both distance and connection. The contrast between the rugged lunar terrain and the soft, cloud-covered Earth highlights the dynamic relationship between the two worlds, offering a moment of quiet reflection during a critical phase of deep space travel.