The far side of the moon artemis ii – Breaking News & Latest Updates 2026
Skip to main content
The homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.
The homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.

All the news of NASA’s Artemis program, the agency’s attempt to return humans to the Moon

See all Stories

Posted
T
Terrence O'Brien
The far side of the Moon peeks out to say hi.

NASA shared this photo taken by the Artemis II crew today, showing the Orientale basin in its entirety for the first time. The far side is also becoming visible as the mission approaches its destination.

The Artemis II crew took this photo on day 4 of their journey to the Moon. In it, the Moon is oriented with the South Pole at the top and are beginning to see parts of the lunar far side. Orientale basin is on the right edge of the lunar disk in this image. Artemis II marks the first time that humans have seen the entire basin. The Artemis II crew will continue to observe Orientale from multiple angles as they approach the Moon and throughout the lunar flyby. Orientale is the textbook multi-ring impact basin used as a baseline to compare other impact craters on rocky worlds from Mercury to Pluto.
Image: NASA
Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.
Comments
Loading comments
Getting the conversation ready...

Most Popular

Most Popular
  1. OpenAI pauses training of its ‘most capable models’
  2. Leaks reveal a new Apple HomePod mini, iPad mini, and Apple TV 4K
  3. Control Resonant is a great game — it’s even better when you read everything
  4. Can Apple Home’s AI camera features outsmart Amazon’s and Google’s? I put them to the test
  5. Can ‘eSUV’ e-bikes really go from trail to town?

More in Science

Jensen Huang talks about AI and climate change like a supervillainJensen Huang talks about AI and climate change like a supervillain
Google is sending an AI satellite into space next weekGoogle is sending an AI satellite into space next week
Data centers are black boxes, but California wants to change that Data centers are black boxes, but California wants to change that 
Anthropic’s biolab made a discovery it’s comparing to CrisprAnthropic’s biolab made a discovery it’s comparing to Crispr
McDonald’s is testing ads on its drive-thru menusMcDonald’s is testing ads on its drive-thru menus
Eight Sleep’s new cooling hub is small enough to hide under your bedEight Sleep’s new cooling hub is small enough to hide under your bed

Top Stories