HOUSTON (AP) — The Artemis II astronauts have now etched their names in lunar history alongside Apollo 8. A day after a monumental lunar flyby, NASA unveiled breathtaking photos captured by the U.S.-Canadian crew. They recreated the famous Earthrise shot from Apollo 8, presenting their own rendition titled Earthset, depicting our planet setting behind the cratered lunar surface. Included in the series of images is a remarkable view of a total solar eclipse, as the moon obscured the sun from their unique vantage point.

As the three American astronauts and their Canadian counterpart journey back home, they are set for a Pacific splashdown this Friday. Meanwhile, scientists at Houston’s Mission Control eagerly analyze the teams' lunar imagery.

Remembered as the first crew to orbit the moon on Christmas Eve of 1968, Apollo 8's astronauts made history with their Earthrise photograph, which became a pivotal symbol for the environmental movement. The Artemis II mission marks NASA's first manned return to the moon, a crucial milestone towards a planned lunar landing within two years.