art002e012723 (April 6, 2026) – A close-up view of the Birkhoff crater on the Moon’s far side, captured by the Artemis II crew, shows the surface under low-light conditions. Located within the lunar highlands, Birkhoff is an impact crater shaped by billions of years of collisions. In this underexposed image, reduced brightness reveals subtle variations in texture and topography that are often less visible in brighter views. The lighting emphasizes differences in surface roughness and ejecta patterns, providing a clearer look at the crater’s structure and the surrounding terrain.

art002e009281 (April 6, 2026) – The Artemis II crew captures a portion of the Moon coming into view along the terminator – the boundary between lunar day and night – where low-angle sunlight casts long, dramatic shadows across the surface. This grazing light accentuates the Moon’s rugged topography, revealing craters, ridges, and basin structures in striking detail. Features along the terminator such as Jule Crater, Birkhoff Crater, Stebbins Crater, and surrounding highlands stand out. From this perspective, the interplay of light and shadow highlights the complexity of the lunar surface in ways not visible under full illumination. The image was captured about three hours into the crew’s lunar observation period, as they flew around the far side of the Moon on the sixth day of the mission.