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Seeing an eclipse from Earth is awe‑inspiring—for astronauts in space, the scene was even more grand

Phys · · 828 words · By Deana L Weibel
The Psychology of Awe Space Exploration and Human Achievement

The article discusses the awe-inspiring experience of witnessing a total solar eclipse, focusing particularly on the unique perspective of seeing one from space during the Artemis II mission. It describes the scientific phenomena observed, such as Earthshine and the corona, and explores the psychological impact of these 'awe' experiences on astronauts and humans generally.

open_in_new Read the original article: https://phys.org/news/2026-05-eclipse-earth-aweinspiring-astronauts-space.html

analyticsAnalysis

10%
Propaganda Score
confidence: 90%
Low risk. This article shows minimal use of propaganda techniques.

psychologyDetected Techniques

warning
Loaded Language 60% confidence
Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.

fact_checkFact-Check Results

13 claims extracted and verified against multiple sources including cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia.

check_circle Corroborated 5
info Single Source 3
schedule Pending 3
help Insufficient Evidence 2
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“The astronauts on Artemis II's trip to the moon in April 2026 didn't just have an amazing journey through space. They also saw something extraordinary. They were the first humans to see a total solar eclipse from space.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple web search results report that Artemis II astronauts saw a solar eclipse from space, confirming the core claim. One source mentions them seeing a 'rare solar eclipse from beyond the moon.'
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The astronauts on Artemis II's trip to the moon in April 2026 didn't just have an amazing journey through space. They also saw something extraordinary. They were the first humans to see a total solar …
https://phys.org/news/2026-05-eclipse-earth-aweinspiring-ast…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Artemis II astronauts are now on course to return to Earth after a historic journey around the lunar far side, during which they broke the record for the farthest distance from Earth ever traveled by …
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2026-04-07/Artemis-II-astronauts-…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — ArtemisThe Artemis 2 astronauts saw a rare solar eclipse from beyond the moon.The Artemis 2 quartet are the first humans to get an up-close look at the moon in more than 50 years. When you purchase th…
https://www.space.com/space-exploration/artemis/the-moon-up-…
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“A solar eclipse happens when the moon moves in front of the sun. In a total eclipse, the sun's central disk is covered completely.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple sources define a total solar eclipse as the moon blocking out the entire sun. National Geographic states, 'A total eclipse, when the moon blocks out the entire sun, occurs every one or two years on average.' Britannica also confirms solar eclipses occur when the Moon comes between the Sun and Earth.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — A total eclipse, when the moon blocks out the entire sun, occurs every one or two years on average. Partial solar eclipses, where the moon covers only part of the sun, are slightly more frequent.
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/solar-ecl…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Eclipses are of two kinds: solar and lunar. Solar eclipses occur when the Moon comes between the Sun and Earth.partial: North and Central America; total: northern Mexico, central U.S., and eastern Can…
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Eclipses-in-2024-2025-and-2…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — How Solar Eclipses Work: When the moon covers up the sun, skywatchers delight in the opportunity to see a rare spectacle.
https://www.space.com/25644-total-solar-eclipses-frequency-e…
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“From Earth, the circle of the sun is about the same size as the circle of the moon.”
CORROBORATED
While the sun and moon are vastly different in actual size, multiple sources confirm that from Earth, their apparent size is similar. One source notes, 'Regardless, up in the sky, the sun and the moon look similar in size as viewed from the earth.'
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The angular diameter, angular width, angular size, apparent diameter, or apparent size is an angular separation (in units of angle) describing how large a sphere or circle appears from a given point o…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angular_diameter
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web search NEUTRAL — Apparent Size. The sun's radius, at 432,200 miles, says NASA, is 400 times larger than the moon's radius, which is about 1,079 miles. Regardless, up in the sky, the sun and the moon look similar in si…
https://www.sciencing.com/similarities-sun-moon-6891232/
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web search NEUTRAL — apparent size of the sun and moon.
https://www.astronomy.com/science/why-is-the-moon-exactly-th…
info
“I have been lucky enough to have seen two total solar eclipses. The first one was in Nebraska in 2017, the second in Indiana in 2024.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The evidence provided for this claim is based on the author's personal account and is not corroborated by any independent news sources or authoritative reference material. While the evidence for other eclipse dates exists, this specific personal testimony cannot be verified.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Two total solar eclipses occurred on August 21, 2017 and April 8, 2024, and one more will occur on September 14, 2099.A view of the solar eclipse on April 8, 2024 from Indianapolis, Indiana, during to…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_solar_eclipses_visible…
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web search NEUTRAL — Watch live with us as a total solar eclipse moves across North America on April 8, 2024, traveling through Mexico, across the United States from Texas to Mai...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MJY_ptQW1o
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web search NEUTRAL — If you miss the total solar eclipse of August 21, 2017 - first such eclipse in contiguous U.S. since 1979 - you'll have to wait until 2024 to see the next one.
https://earthsky.org/space/total-solar-eclipses-in-the-usa/
info
“During my second total eclipse, the period of totality—that short span when you can remove your protective glasses and look directly at the eclipse—lasted close to 4 minutes.”
SINGLE SOURCE
This claim relates to the author's personal experience and is not corroborated by any independent sources. While one source mentions a totality lasting 4 minutes 8 seconds, this does not confirm the author's specific experience.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — A solar eclipse can occur only when a new moon occurs close to one of the points (known as nodes) where the Moon's orbit crosses the ecliptic.[7]. As noted above, the Moon's orbit is also elliptical. …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_eclipse
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Watch live with us as a total solar eclipse moves across North America on April 8, 2024, traveling through Mexico, across the United States from Texas to Mai...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MJY_ptQW1o
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — But here is a most unusual case of a city being treated to a view of two total solar eclipses within a timeframe of less than 7 years! On April 8, totality returns to Carbondale, at 1:59:14 p.m. C.D.T…
https://www.space.com/total-solar-eclipse-chronology-april-8…
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“On Aug. 12, 2026, there will be another total solar eclipse, visible only from Greenland, Iceland, Spain and the Balearic Islands of the Mediterranean.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple sources confirm the date (August 12, 2026) and that it will be a total solar eclipse. Furthermore, sources specify that the total eclipse will be visible from specific regions, including Greenland, Iceland, and northern Spain, matching the claim's details.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — A total solar eclipse will occur at the Moon's descending node of orbit on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, with a magnitude of 1.0386.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_eclipse_of_August_12,_20…
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web search NEUTRAL — August 12, 2026: Total Eclipse of the Sun. This eclipse is visible ONLY as a partial solar eclipse from Canada and some northern U.S. states. (The total eclipse will be visible from the Arctic, Greenl…
https://www.almanac.com/eclipses
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The August 12, 2026 total solar eclipse will be a total solar eclipse. During a total solar eclipse, the Moon moves between the Earth and Sun completely obscuring the Sun.Total solar eclipses are visi…
https://nso.edu/for-public/eclipse-map-2026/
info
“I interviewed one I call by the pseudonym 'Jackie' in my research about astronauts' experiences of awe. She was part of an astronaut training group that did a flight exercise during a total solar eclipse.”
SINGLE SOURCE
This claim is based on the author's personal research and interview and is not corroborated by any independent news sources. While one source mentions an astronaut training group doing a flight exercise during a total solar eclipse, it does not confirm the identity or details of the person 'Jackie.'
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — During a total solar eclipse, the Sun is barely visible behind the Moon. Roger Sorensen.She was part of an astronaut training group that did a flight exercise during a total solar eclipse. Jackie and …
https://theconversation.com/seeing-an-eclipse-from-earth-is-…
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web search NEUTRAL — Quora is a place to gain and share knowledge. It's a platform to ask questions and connect with people who contribute unique insights and quality answers. This empowers people to learn from each other…
https://www.quora.com/
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Total Solar Eclipse: A Stellar Friendship Story Written by Jayme Sandberg Illustrated by Kathleen Gadeken This book is used with permission by Jaym...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbE9QymC1Yk
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“On April 6, 2026, the astronauts of NASA's Artemis II mission saw another kind of unusual eclipse as they flew around the moon. At one point during their flight, the moon and the spacecraft aligned so that the moon was directly between them and the sun, blocking the sun's disk in a way that looks very different from what we see on Earth.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple sources confirm that Artemis II astronauts observed a solar eclipse from space during a lunar flyby. The description of the alignment (moon between sun and spacecraft) is consistent with the unique viewing angle described.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The Artemis II astronauts witnessed a solar eclipse from their Orion spacecraft during a historic flyby over the moon. Here's a photo.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/science/space/2026/04/07…
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web search NEUTRAL — The Artemis II mission wrapped up a historic seven-hour lunar flyby, marking humanity's first return to the Moon since Apollo 17 in 1972 and capturing images of the lunar far side. After the lunar obs…
https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/missions/2026/04/06/artemis-ii-fl…
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web search NEUTRAL — The astronauts on Artemis II observed parts of the moon humans had never seen before. Their findings provide a scientific baseline — and sense of wonder — for future missions.
https://www.npr.org/2026/04/07/nx-s1-5776824/artemis-astrona…
help
“The astronauts were so close to the moon that the moon looked bigger than the sun and hid more of its bright circle.”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
Although the claim describes a specific visual phenomenon during the Artemis II flight, no evidence was provided in the web search results to confirm that the moon appeared larger than the sun or blocked a significant portion of the sun's disk from the astronaut's perspective.
help
“Earth was also in view, and sunlight reflected from Earth onto the moon in a phenomenon NASA calls 'Earthshine.'”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
Although 'Earthshine' is a known astronomical phenomenon, the provided evidence was insufficient to confirm that NASA specifically calls the reflection of sunlight from Earth onto the moon 'Earthshine' in the context of the claim, nor was the phenomenon described in the search results.
schedule
“This dim light is very similar to the moonlight that shines on Earth at night.”
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“This sight was, without a doubt, one of the most unusual eclipses ever seen by human eyes.”
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“Space travel creates many opportunities for awe, but a solar eclipse from behind the moon, as Mission Commander Reid Wiseman put it, required '20 new superlatives.'”
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info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.