The astronauts aboard Artemis II have provided breathtaking images of Earth as they journey ever closer to the moon, offering a stunning perspective of our planet.

Commander Reid Wiseman captured a captivating photograph showing a curved segment of Earth framed by one of the capsule’s windows. Another image presents a full view of the globe, with oceans adorned by swirling white clouds and even a faint green aurora, as described by NASA.

“It’s amazing to think that except for our four friends, all of humanity is represented in this image,” commented Lakiesha Hawkins, a leader in NASA’s exploration systems. She noted that the mission is proceeding successfully.

As of late Friday afternoon, Wiseman and the crew had traveled over 180,000 kilometers from Earth, rapidly closing the distance to the moon, with approximately 240,000 kilometers remaining. They are expected to reach their lunar destination by Monday.

The team, consisting of three Americans and one Canadian, will maneuver their Orion capsule around the moon, execute a U-turn, and head back to Earth without making a lunar landing.

The three Americans and one Canadian will swing around the moon in their Orion capsule, hang a U-turn and then head straight back home without stopping.

They fired Orion’s main engine on Thursday night that set them on their course.

After Mission Control shifted the position of their capsule, the entire Earth complete with northern lights filled their windows.

“It was the most spectacular moment, and it paused all four of us in our tracks,” Wiseman said in a TV interview.

They’re the first lunar travelers since Apollo 17 in 1972.