NASA astronauts take photograph from the Moon, but University of Liepāja students have been doing this from their dorm window for years

NASA published grandiose news this week — Artemis II mission astronauts have supposedly taken a fantastic image of Earth from the far side of the Moon. What exactly is so special about this photograph isn't entirely clear, since University of Liepāja students have been capturing equally impressive sunset views of the sea from their dorm window for years.

While NASA proudly announces this is the first photograph from the far side of the Moon, Liepāja residents just laugh. "Our students have the opportunity every evening to watch the sun set beyond the horizon, and it only costs a dorm fee," comments local resident Valdis. "What even is this Moon compared to the beauty of our White Dunes?"

The fact that astronauts set a record for humanity's farthest journey into space also doesn't make much of an impression in Liepāja. "Our bus to Riga travels just as far from civilization," says pensioner Alma. "And there's the same kind of void there too — nothing normal exists."

Meanwhile, Riga is already planning its own space program called "Daugavgrīva I," which envisions a flight to Jūrmala. Of course, without any guarantee they'll return.