We appear beautiful, even astronauts think so.
As Earth’s 8 billion inhabitants send well wishes skyward, NASA’s Artemis II crew gazes back at us with hope. The Orion spacecraft has just shared its first image of Earth—a stunning crescent shot. The crew has since provided more breathtaking images.
The new Artemis II photos, alongside earlier shots of the spacecraft orbiting Earth amidst shimmering galactic ice, have left the public in awe. Emotions run high as astronauts observe our planet.
Artemis II’s crew, including Commander Reid Wiseman, mission specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen, and pilot Victor Glover, features the first woman and Black astronaut heading to the moon. This diverse team symbolizes human ingenuity and bravery.
“Trust us: You look amazing, you look beautiful, and from up here, you also look like one thing,” said Glover during a Flight Day 2 broadcast. “We’re all one people.”
This historic mission to the moon will take the crew farther than any humans have gone in space, marking the beginning of efforts to return to the lunar surface—reminiscent of the Apollo era. It’s just getting started. NASA shares images on its website, offering a glimpse into the breathtaking visuals from Artemis II.
There’s Earth in all its glory—the blue marble. The central landmass is Africa. The aurora borealis glows at the top right and bottom left, a natural wonder complementing Artemis II’s journey.
For those curious about Artemis II’s real-time location, check NASA’s live mission tracker.