Photo Credit; Getty Images
In 1968, as the crew of Apollo 8 orbited the Moon, they witnessed something no human had ever seen before. Commander Frank Borman described the lunar surface as lifeless and colourless, a stark mix of grey black and white shaped by craters and volcanic remains. Then, during their fourth orbit, everything changed. Rising above the barren horizon was Earth, glowing with colour against the darkness of space. Astronaut Bill Anders captured the moment in what became known as the Earthrise photograph, an image that would go on to shape how humanity sees its home.
The Earthrise image quickly became one of the most reproduced photographs in history. It showed Earth not as an endless expanse beneath our feet but as a small fragile sphere suspended in space. That shift in perspective helped spark the environmental movement and contributed to the creation of Earth Day in 1970. For many, it was the first time they truly understood the planet’s vulnerability.
Nearly six decades later, astronauts on the Artemis II mission have captured a new image called Earthset. Taken during a flyby of the Moon in April 2026, the photograph shows Earth dipping below the lunar horizon. While similar in composition to Earthrise, the meaning behind Earthset is shaped by everything that has happened in the years between the two images.
Unlike the accidental nature of the original photograph, this time the moment was anticipated. Nasa had made clear that they intended to capture a modern version of Earthrise, aware of the emotional and historical weight such an image carries. The Artemis crew succeeded, producing a photograph that again invites people to reflect on the planet from a distance.
