Artemis ii's lunar view: not quite a first, but still groundbreaking

The narrative surrounding Artemis II—that its crew will be the first to witness the far side of the Moon—is, to put it mildly, a simplification. While the mission promises unique perspectives, a quick glance at lunar history reveals a more complex reality.

A legacy of lunar observers

Let's be clear: Frank Borman, James Lovell, and William Anders aboard Apollo 8 back in December 1968 were the pioneers. They were the first humans to lay eyes upon the lunar far side. Following in their footsteps, a total of 27 astronauts across nine Apollo missions (Apollo 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17) have since traversed that region. Some, like Lovell, Young, and Cernan, logged multiple far-side sightings—true lunar veterans, one might say.

Artemis II won't be orbiting the Moon, a key distinction. That means the crew's viewing time will be considerably shorter than those Apollo missions which enjoyed extended orbital perspectives. However, what they will witness is unprecedented in its detail. Flying at approximately 6,500 kilometers above the surface, they'll observe features at a resolution far exceeding the roughly 200-kilometer altitudes achieved by the Apollo craft. This altitude advantage allows for significantly better observation of the lunar poles—a region largely unexplored by previous missions—and a revealing glance at Mare Orientale, a vast geological feature that’s barely discernible from Earth.

During their approach, the crew has already begun observing Mare Orientale. While its presence could be hinted at, the clarity of its form is striking from this proximity. The lighting conditions, too, will differ dramatically from those experienced during the Apollo era. A substantial portion of the near side will be bathed in sunlight, mirroring what we see from Earth tonight, albeit from a closer vantage point. But on the far side, the view will be one of a crescent Moon, with roughly 20% illuminated by the Sun and the remaining 80% shrouded in darkness. That means a significant portion of the far side will remain unseen.

It's important to note—and this is crucial—that while the Artemis II crew will be the first humans to see certain far-side regions with their own eyes, we already possess high-resolution imagery gleaned from robotic probes like the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. They are not ‘discovering’ something entirely new in that sense, but rather experiencing it in a way that no one has before.

NASA has meticulously crafted an observation plan for Artemis II, calibrated to the specific lighting and viewing angles during the lunar flyby. The plan, accessible via tablet to the crew, prioritizes scientific value and visibility, targeting illuminated areas while also actively seeking out fleeting flashes of light caused by micrometeoroid impacts. Rumors of an eclipse sighting during the mission are, frankly, overstated; the crew will simply be temporarily shielded from the Sun by the Moon itself—a phenomenon akin to experiencing an eclipse every night due to Earth's position.

Ultimately, Artemis II is not about surpassing the Apollo program in terms of far-side exploration; it's about expanding our understanding and perspective of our celestial neighbor. The mission's value lies not in what it finds, but in the opportunity it provides to witness the Moon in a profoundly human way.