Israeli Beresheet snaps first space shot
Selfie from 20,000 miles away: Israeli Beresheet snaps first space shot

            

	
		


    
        The selfie shows the Southern Hemisphere, and Australia can clearly be seen in the background.
    


                
                        
                            MARCH 7, 2019 03:49
                        
                    
                
                        
                            
                                
                                    
                                
                                
                                    
                                
                                
                                    
                                
                                
                                    
                                
                            
                        
                                   
            


	
	
			
				
				
					
						The Israeli spacecraft Beresheet takes a selfie 37,600 km from Earth.
						(photo credit: SPACEIL IAI)
					
				
			
	



			
			
				The Israeli spacecraft Beresheet, which was launched off the coast of Cape Canaveral, Florida, two weeks ago on its way to a planned Moon landing next month, took its first selfie in space. The selfie - which was taken some 37,600 km (20,000 miles) away from Earth - shows the Southern Hemisphere, and Australia can clearly be seen in the background.The image was taken as the spacecraft slowly orbits the Earth for the next month or so, before it will be pulled by the gravitational force of the Moon and the landing process will begin. Beresheet is scheduled to land on the Moon on April 11.In the image, a plaque that was installed at the front of the spacecraft is seen, featuring the Israeli flag and the message "Am Yisrael Chai" (lit. Long live the Nation of Israel). An additional inscription also reads "Small country big dreams," a reference to the founder of modern Zionism Theodore Herzl who was noted for his famous quote, "If you will it, it is no dream.""The selfie of the spacecraft is proof of the  technological power of Israel," said the Israeli Minister of Science and  Technology Ofir Akunis. "Despite the small size of the spacecraft  Beresheet, it brings us great joy. The spacecraft is proof of the  technological strength and power of Israel, and its success passes on an  educational message as well to the children of Israel: You need to  dream big," he said. "I am proud of the decision of the Science and Technology Ministry to be a partner in this project," Akunis said.
				
			
		



            
        