Orientale Basin at the Edge of Light

FD10_Lunar flyby Koch SN 1015 long lens

art002e020686 (April 6, 2026) – A portion of the Moon’s farside is seen along the terminator—the boundary between lunar day and night—where low-angle sunlight casts long shadows across the surface. A section of Orientale Basin is visible along the upper right portion of the lunar disk, its structure subtly revealed under grazing illumination. This lighting enhances contrast across the cratered terrain, highlighting variations in surface features and providing insight into the Moon’s geologic history. Credit: NASA

Photographer NASA
Album Artemis_II