A view from the edge of space — and a reminder of just how small we are.
NASA released a striking new image Tuesday night captured by astronauts aboard Artemis II, offering a rare glimpse of the Milky Way from deep space.
“Sky full of stars,” NASA wrote in a post on X.
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“Following a successful lunar flyby, the Artemis II astronauts captured this breathtaking photo of our galaxy, the Milky Way, on April 7, 2026.”
The image was taken as the crew began its journey back to Earth, having completed a key milestone in the mission.
After leaving the moon’s sphere of influence, the Orion spacecraft transitioned back under Earth’s gravitational pull — a critical phase in the return trajectory.
The capsule, traveling at more than 1,700 miles per hour, is now on course for reentry following the successful flyby.
Sky full of stars.
Following a successful lunar flyby, the Artemis II astronauts captured this breathtaking photo of our galaxy, the Milky Way, on April 7, 2026. pic.twitter.com/pzqcLZNB71
— NASA (@NASA) April 8, 2026
