Astronauts on Artemis II saw a total solar eclipse from space on April 6, 2026. This marked the first time humans have witnessed such an event from orbit.
The eclipse lasted for 54 minutes. During this time, the Moon moved directly between the spacecraft and the Sun, completely blocking its disk. Astronauts reported feelings of awe as they observed the Sun’s corona, which is normally too dim to be seen.
During the eclipse, the Moon appeared larger than the Sun. This phenomenon contributed to a unique viewing experience that few have had before. The astronauts also noted the effect of “earthshine,” where sunlight reflected from Earth illuminated the dark side of the Moon.
On May 5, 2026, the Moon will be in its Waning Gibbous phase, with 87.6% of its surface illuminated. The Waning Gibbous phase occurs approximately 18.14 days into its 29.5-day cycle. The Scorpio Full Moon will occur at the start of May.
The next total solar eclipse will occur on August 12, 2026. It will be visible from regions including Greenland, Iceland, Spain, and the Balearic Islands.
Astronauts shared their reactions after witnessing this celestial event. Victor Glover remarked, “We just went sci-fi.” Reid Wiseman added that it felt like experiencing “20 new superlatives.” Jackie expressed that space is dynamic—”It’s not static … it’s alive.”
The Artemis II mission continues to push boundaries in human space exploration. This total solar eclipse experience adds to a growing list of milestones for NASA’s Artemis program.
