A picture holds significant value, sometimes far beyond simple description. The Artemis II crew captured hundreds of photos of stars during their journey around the moon using a standard Nikon Z9 mirrorless camera. These shots proved useful not only as striking visuals but also for advancing scientific understanding.

Researchers from Tokyo City University released findings in June based on images of a total solar eclipse taken during the Artemis II lunar flyby. They analyzed the F-corona, referring to interplanetary dust particles that scatter sunlight and create a faint halo effect around the moon when the sun is positioned directly behind it.

One standout photo from the mission, titled Artemis II in Eclipse, recorded a 54-minute total eclipse and delivered an unprecedented view of the F-corona. The team extracted reliable measurements from the JPEG file and confirmed details of its structure, proving that basic imaging equipment can produce meaningful astrophysical insights.

Nikon and NASA reported that the Z9 was fitted with a 35mm f/2D lens, set at f/2 aperture with a 2-second exposure and ISO 1600.

Applying standard cameras to research

Kohji Tsumura, an associate professor at Tokyo City University and study co-author, initially questioned the use of JPEG files because space research typically depends on raw uncompressed data or specialized formats. The results, however, aligned closely with professional astronomical observations.

Tsumura expressed surprise that such a high-quality image came from an astronaut operating a commercially available Nikon Z9 with only a two-second exposure. Co-author Ko Arimatsu noted that advanced consumer technology holds promise for future space missions and scientific work, as valuable data can be obtained from these images when properly processed and examined.

The Nikon Z9 was not part of the original mission equipment. The crew had intended to rely on NASA-certified Nikon D5 cameras built to handle deep-space radiation. Commander Reid Wiseman advocated for adding the Z9 as a test for upcoming Artemis flights, and NASA approved its inclusion.

Wiseman commented that training with the Z9 showed it to be excellent equipment. NASA has partnered with Nikon for more than 50 years on mission hardware and is now developing the Handheld Universal Lunar Camera for Artemis IV.

Hiroyuki Ikegami of Nikon described the return of Artemis II images as an honor and emphasized the company's ongoing work with NASA to create cameras and lenses suited for extreme conditions. The Z9 itself is a flagship mirrorless model praised for its advanced features and performance in professional use.