A recent amateur video has drawn attention by depicting China’s Tiangong space station as it passes near the Moon’s surface. The footage, recorded with a commercially available telescope camera, clearly shows the station approaching the rim of Tycho crater before moving away into lunar orbit.
The recording was made on 24 June 2026 while Tiangong was in a low‑Earth orbit and the lunar illumination was optimal for observation. The observer, who wishes to remain unnamed, used a 12‑inch reflector telescope equipped with a digital capture system to track the slow motion of the station over several minutes.
Despite modest equipment, the video offers surprisingly good detail: the silhouette of Tiangong is distinguishable, and faint moonlight reflects off its metallic surface. Tycho crater, one of the Moon’s most prominent impact basins, provides a natural reference point that anchors the station’s position in the frame.
Scientists note that such recordings can be valuable for the amateur astronomy community, allowing independent verification of spacecraft trajectories and improving understanding of Earth‑Moon orbital dynamics. The Chinese space agency has not issued an official comment regarding the video.
The clip quickly spread across social media platforms, sparking discussions about the capabilities of private observers to monitor orbital assets. While professional observatories remain the authoritative source for precise orbital data, this example highlights the growing technical proficiency and enthusiasm of hobby astronomers worldwide.