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.

You can't beat a classic DSLR –even from space

NASA released the very first images taken by the four astronauts aboard the Orion capsule as they are making their way to the moon.

During the Artemis II mission, astronauts used the iPhone 17 Pro Max to capture photos of Earth from space, with NASA’s Instagram post quickly going viral.

The first new images of the entire Earth from space are causing discussions. All it takes is a good photographer and camera.

Earlier this year, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman explained why the astronauts would be taking smartphones with them into space. He wrote on X: "We are giving our crews the tools to capture special moments for their families and share inspiring images and video with the world.

The story behind the beautiful pictures beamed back to Earth from the Artemis II astronauts.