NASA spokesperson Lauren Low told PolitiFact that one of the reasons Earth appears duller is because the new photo was taken at night, with only moonlight lighting the planet. The 1972 photo was taken in direct sunlight. The two images were also processed differently, she said.

The four astronauts on the ship are returning back to Earth following a landmark 10‑day journey around the Moon.

Over the past eight days, the world has watched four intrepid explorers leave Earth, fly around the Moon, and make spaceflight history. The moments of reverence, camaraderie, and bravery we’ve witnessed since the launch of NASA’s Artemis 2 mission have done wonders for my faith in humanity, but sadly, all good things must come to an end.

As of late on April 10, it was not known if the thunderous vibration was heard or recorded as Artemis II returned to Earth from its 10-day mission.

The realizations on social media align with what researchers have long known about Earth's composition.

Artemis II astronauts expressed awe on Saturday over their record-setting lunar flyby mission, urging unity on Earth after witnessing the planet's isolation like a "lifeboat" in space."Artemis II

Live coverage of Artemis 2's splashdown begins this evening as four astronauts return from their historic 10-day mission around the moon.

A 48-foot asteroid will pass Earth on April 12, 2026, at a safe distance of 4 million miles, posing no threat while offering insights for space research.