Craters Along the Lunar Terminator

A CLOSER LOOK

art002e014055 (April 6, 2026) - A close-up view of the Moon along the terminator—the boundary between lunar day and night—captured by the crew during the Artemis II mission. The low-angle sunlight on this specific day casts long shadows across the surface, revealing the shape and depth of craters in striking detail. Since the early days of the telescope, astronomers used observations along the terminator to map the Moon’s terrain, taking advantage of the contrast between light and shadow to distinguish surface features. While modern imaging has advanced significantly, this lighting still provides valuable insight into the Moon’s topography.

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