A striking image shared by Firefly on social media on Monday shows the Sun’s rays piercing through the lunar atmosphere, illuminating the Moon’s rugged, cratered surface. The scene highlights the stark contrast between light and shadow across the uneven terrain.
The Blue Ghost spacecraft, which landed on the Moon on Sunday, was launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on January 15. After nearly a month in Earth’s orbit, it began its journey towards the Moon, spending 16 days refining its trajectory before reaching the surface.
“Rise and shine! Firefly’s #BlueGhost lander captured its first sunrise on the Moon, marking the beginning of the lunar day and the start of surface operations in its new home. Our #GhostRiders have already begun operating many of the 10 @NASA payloads aboard the lander and will continue operations over the next two weeks and into the lunar night,” Firefly stated in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
The lander touched down on the Moon’s near side, near Mons Latreille—an ancient volcanic feature that offers a unique environment for scientific research. The region’s geological diversity and relatively flat surface provide an ideal setting for collecting new data.
Part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) programme, the mission carries 10 NASA payloads designed to enhance understanding of the Moon’s environment. The Blue Ghost lander is expected to operate for one lunar day, approximately 14 Earth days, conducting a range of scientific investigations and technology demonstrations.
One of the mission’s key objectives is to capture the phenomenon of lunar horizon glow—a stunning optical effect last observed by Apollo astronauts more than 50 years ago.
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