Observation by Martin Ratcliffe: Artemis II outbound April 3 2026

Uploaded by

Martin Ratcliffe

Observer

Martin Ratcliffe

Observed

2026 Apr 03 - 16:21

Uploaded

2026 Jul 02 - 17:36

Objects

Spacecraft

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Constellation

Libra

Field centre

RA: 15^h25^m
Dec: -26°11'
Position angle: -105°24'

Field size

1°08' × 0°51'

Equipment

152 mm Refractor
QHY600MM

Exposure

60 s

Location

Stansbury Park, UT, USA

Target name

Artemis II spacecraft

Title

Artemis II outbound April 3 2026

About this image

First attempt at imaging Artemis II outbound to the Moon. Using JPL Horizons, I had an ephemeris, and much to my surprise my first image showed the trail - the second capture showed that it had moved! A very exciting moment. The sequence was captured over 64 minutes, with a small gap during a focus routine. The last time we could photograph a moon-bound spacecraft was 1972 (Apollo 17). It was really a special night to see these images accumulating and watching Artemis II moving in space - and the Moon was up as well.

Files associated with this observation

2026-04-03-ArtemisII_Path_Ratcliffe.jpg (1.6 MB)

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