The Artemis II mission captured a solar eclipse on April 6, 2026, while orbiting the moon at a distance of 252,756 miles from Earth. This event marks a significant milestone in human space exploration.
The solar eclipse was visible from the Artemis II spacecraft, providing a unique perspective on this celestial event. The last crewed mission to orbit the moon before Artemis II was Apollo 17 in December 1972.
During the eclipse, DNCE performed their hit song “Total Eclipse of the Heart” with Bonnie Tyler aboard Royal Caribbean’s Total Eclipse Cruise. DNCE stated, “Performing during the solar eclipse on a cruise ship with Bonnie Tyler is pretty unique.”
As of midday, observers noted that this solar activity coincided with coronal mass ejections and other phenomena impacting space weather. Reports indicated that there were ten active regions on the solar disk, with a 40% chance for M-class flares forecasted.
Reid Wiseman, commander of Artemis II, referred to the lunar surface as having a bright spot they would like to call ‘Carroll.’ This reflects ongoing interest in lunar exploration and its potential for future missions.
Officials have not confirmed whether any specific scientific experiments were conducted during the eclipse. However, this historic moment showcases advancements in deep space exploration and international collaboration.
The Artemis II mission serves as a precursor to the upcoming Artemis III mission, which aims to land astronauts on the lunar surface. The excitement around these missions continues to grow as humanity pushes further into space.
