NASA releases stunning first high-resolution Earth images from Artemis II mission

The image called Hello World taken from the Orion capsule

HARARE – NASA has unveiled the first high-resolution images of Earth captured by astronauts aboard the Artemis II mission, offering a breathtaking view of the planet as the crew travels toward the Moon. Mission commander Reid Wiseman took the images after the spacecraft completed a crucial engine burn that placed it on a trajectory toward Earth’s closest celestial neighbour.

A rare view of Earth from deep space

One of the standout images, titled Hello, World, shows the Atlantic Ocean stretching across the planet, framed by a thin glowing atmosphere as Earth eclipses the Sun. Green auroras are visible at both poles, adding to the dramatic effect. From the spacecraft’s perspective, Earth appears upside down, with the western Sahara and Iberian Peninsula visible on one side and parts of South America on the other. A bright point of light in the distance was identified as the planet Venus.

Another image, captured through the Orion spacecraft’s window, shows Earth from afar, highlighting the vastness of space and the planet’s isolation.

Journey beyond Earth orbit

The images were taken shortly after the crew completed a trans-lunar injection burn, a key manoeuvre that propelled the Orion spacecraft out of Earth’s orbit. The four astronauts aboard are travelling more than 200,000 miles in a looping path that will take them around the far side of the Moon before returning to Earth. This marks the first time since the Apollo 17 mission in 1972 that humans have ventured beyond low-Earth orbit.

Capturing the ‘terminator’ and night lights

Among the images released is a striking view of the Earth divided between day and night, a boundary known as the terminator. The photograph captures the gradual transition from sunlight to darkness across the planet’s surface. Another image shows Earth almost entirely in darkness, with city lights twinkling across continents, an illustration of human presence visible from deep space.

Earth is divided between day and night, a boundary known as the terminator

Astronauts are captivated by the view

Mission specialist Jeremy Hansen said the crew were “glued to the windows” after completing the burn.

“We are getting a beautiful view of the dark side of the Earth, lit by the Moon,” he told mission control.

Wiseman later joked about needing to clean the spacecraft windows, as the crew’s excitement left them smudged while trying to capture the perfect shot.

A reminder of Earth’s beauty

In a side-by-side comparison with images taken during Apollo 17, NASA highlighted how far space exploration has come over the past five decades.

“We’ve come so far in the last 54 years, but one thing hasn’t changed: our home looks gorgeous from space,” the agency said.

NASA published another image showing the Earth in near-complete darkness, with the electric lights of humankind twinkling in the nighttime

NASA Artemis II images