Recently, the Artemis II crew made headlines by using iPhones to capture stunning photos and videos while orbiting the Moon. This might seem familiar, but to astronomy fans, every new image is a treasure.
One particularly beautiful moment shared by the NASA Artemis account on X shows astronaut Christina Koch’s face, brilliantly lit by sunlight reflected from Earth. It’s a powerful reminder of how small our planet looks from space.
In the same video, Koch flips the camera to show Earth outside the Orion spacecraft, with an intriguing glimpse of the iPhone’s reflection in the window. At the time she filmed it, the Orion was about 33,800 miles (54,500 km) away from our planet.
Earthshine.
Artemis II astronaut Christina Koch captured this video of Earth outside the windows of the Orion spacecraft during the second flight day of the mission. Orion was roughly 33,800 miles (54,500 km) away from Earth when @Astro_Christina took this video. pic.twitter.com/1YBxVj4hi9— NASA Artemis (@NASAArtemis) April 22, 2026
It’s quite remarkable that technology like the iPhone can capture such images from space. Astronauts are now using tools readily available to the public to document their journeys. This blend of advanced technology and personal storytelling resonates with many, making space exploration feel more accessible.
According to a survey from the Pew Research Center, 63% of Americans are excited about space exploration, and many appreciate how social media allows them to follow missions in real-time. Posts like these can inspire a new generation of scientists and astronomers, showing them that they too can be part of such adventures.
The Artemis missions not only aim to return humans to the Moon but also to set the stage for Mars exploration. As technology advances, we can expect even more breathtaking visuals and insights from these missions. The excitement doesn’t just stop with one video; it marks a new era in space exploration where everyone can follow along, step by step.
