The Artemis II crew snapped some mesmerizing photos of Earth
On their way around the Moon , the Artemis II crew had time to snap some terrific pictures of our blue planet. NASA has begun sharing the images, including the one above, which shows a striking view of Earth through the Orion capsule's window. Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman overcame the crewтАЩs problems with Microsoft Outlook and the toilet to capture the photos. He took the above pic after the craft completed its translunar injection burn on April 2. Reid Wiseman / NASA Meanwhile, this second photo trades clever composition for a full-on view of our planet. If you look carefully, you can see two auroras: one on the top right and another on the bottom left. Easier to spot is the diffuse glow of zodiacal light (bottom right) as the Earth eclipses the Sun. At the time of publication, Artemis II is over 105,000 miles from Earth. The 10-day journey will have the crew of four looping around the Moon and back again. Serving largely as a test run for future deep space travel, the mission is NASA's first to the Moon since the Apollo program. However, the crew won't be landing this time; that will have to wait for Artemis IV, currently planned for 2028 . Reid Wiseman / NASA This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/science/space/the-artemis-ii-crew-snapped-some-mesmerizing-photos-of-earth-183610493.html?src=rss
On their journey around the Moon, the Artemis II crew has captured mesmerizing photos of Earth, offering a unique perspective from the Orion capsule. NASA has started sharing these images, which include a striking view of our blue planet through the spacecraft's window. The photos were taken by Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman, who managed to overcome the crew's challenges with Microsoft Outlook and the toilet to document their mission.
The first image was captured after the spacecraft completed its translunar injection burn on April 2. It showcases Earth in all its beauty, floating in the vastness of space. The second photo, however, prioritizes composition and provides a full-on view of the planet. Careful observers can spot two auroras: one on the top right and another on the bottom left. Additionally, the diffuse glow of zodiacal light is visible in the bottom right, as Earth eclipses the Sun.
At the time of publication, Artemis II is over 105,000 miles from Earth, embarking on a 10-day journey that will have the crew of four looping around the Moon and returning back. This mission serves as a test run for future deep space travel, marking NASA's first trip to the Moon since the Apollo program. However, the crew will not be landing this time; that milestone is scheduled for Artemis IV, currently planned for 2028.
The Artemis II mission is a significant step forward for space exploration, as it paves the way for future manned missions to the Moon and beyond. The stunning photos captured by the crew not only highlight the breathtaking beauty of our planet from space but also underscore the importance of these missions in advancing human knowledge and capabilities. As the crew continues their journey, these images will remain a testament to the incredible view from the cosmos and the dedication of those working to push the boundaries of space exploration.
