Birkhoff Crater in Low-Light Detail

A CLOSER LOOK

art002e012723 (April 6, 2026) – A close-up view of the Birkhoff crater on the Moon’s far side, captured by the Artemis II crew, shows the surface under low-light conditions. Located within the lunar highlands, Birkhoff is an impact crater shaped by billions of years of collisions. In this underexposed image, reduced brightness reveals subtle variations in texture and topography that are often less visible in brighter views. The lighting emphasizes differences in surface roughness and ejecta patterns, providing a clearer look at the crater’s structure and the surrounding terrain.

Explore NASA's original image record for credits and available downloads.