
HOUSTON (AP) — The Artemis II astronauts are now forever intertwined with Apollo 8.
A day after the historic lunar flyaround, NASA on Tuesday released striking new photos taken by the U.S.-Canadian crew.
The four astronauts channeled Apollo 8’s famous Earthrise shot from 1968 with their own: Earthset, showing our planet setting behind the gray, pockmarked moon. Another photo captures the total solar eclipse that occurred when the moon blocked the sun from the crew’s perspective.
The three Americans and one Canadian are now headed home, with a splashdown in the Pacific set for Friday. In the meantime, scientists at Houston's Mission Control are poring over the stream of moon photos beaming down.
Apollo 8's three astronauts became the world's first lunar visitors, orbiting the moon on Christmas Eve 1968. Their Earthrise shot became a symbol of the modern-day environmental movement.
Artemis II marks NASA's first return to the moon with astronauts — a critical step toward a lunar landing by another crew in two years.
___
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
LATEST POSTS
- 1
Novo and Lilly cut prices of weight-loss drugs in China - 2
Geminid meteors streak under green sky | Space photo of the day for Dec. 19, 2025 - 3
RFK Jr. says he's following 'gold standard' science. Here's what to know - 4
How to avoid or deal with an outrageous medical bill - 5
Easy to understand Tech: Cell phones for Old in 2024
The Minimized Passage Horse: Reconsidering a Symbol for the Cutting edge Period
Well informed: How to Take full advantage of Your Gadgets
Science is best communicated through identity and culture – how researchers are ensuring STEM serves their communities
Heartfelt Objections to Visit with Your Adored One
The Leonid meteor shower is peaking early this week. Here’s what to know
Timex Gives Its Classic Affordable Field Watch a Tactical, Milspec Makeover
NASA begins the countdown for humanity's first launch to the moon in 53 years
Vote in favor of your favored spot to peruse
In a first, scientists observe a comet reversing its spin













