Image of the Day Archives

Image of the Day archives
For older Image of the Day pictures, please visit the Image of the Day archives. Pictured: NGC 2467. (Image credit: NASA, ESA and Orsola De Marco (Macquarie University))

Each day we highlight a spectacular picture from space. See space exploration photos, astronaut pictures and more in our Image of the Day galleries.

Related Topics: Black Holes, Aurora Borealis, Stargazer Photos, International Space Station, Meteors, Shooting Stars and Fireballs

Latest about image of the day archives

People stand on a lawn watching a long structure descend to Earth.

SpaceX rocket taxi returns after Roman Telescope launch | Space photo of the day for Sept. 8, 2026

By Monisha Ravisetti Published

The Roman Space Telescope launched beyond Earth on Aug. 30. And one of the most amazing parts of the liftoff was the Falcon Heavy rocket's boosters returning back to our planet, safe and sound.

2 Comments
Missions
Lots of sparkles and glowing dots among smoky tendrils of gas.

Hubble Telescope sees spectacular 'superbubble' | Space photo of the day for Sept. 4, 2026

By Monisha Ravisetti Published

The Hubble Space Telescope has spotted a spectacular 'super bubble' in our Milky Way's nearest neighbor the Large Magellanic Cloud. Check out our space photo of the day.

Hubble Space Telescope
close up view of the sun showing large filament like structure fanning out from the sun and reaching up, with the plasma then falling back to the sun.

Mesmerizing plasma loops on the sun | Space photo of the day for Sept. 3, 2026

By Daisy Dobrijevic Published

"To see one AND catch it right on the limb AND have it happen on a clear day when I'm home and able to catch it was a real treat."

2 Comments
Astrophotography
plumes of raging fire emanate from three parallel rings of nine cone-shaped rocket nozzles

Falcon Heavy brings the heat | Space photo of the day for Sept. 2, 2026

By Brett Tingley Published

An incredible launch photo captures fire spewing from a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket during the launch of NASA's Roman Space Telescope on Aug. 30, 2026.

3 Comments
Launches & Spacecraft
a hexagonal spacecraft floats away from a large metal ring on a black background

Roman telescope leaves its rocket behind | Space photo of the day for Aug. 31, 2026

By Brett Tingley Published

NASA caught a breathtaking image of its next-generation Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope deploying into space shortly after launch.

2 Comments
Launches & Spacecraft
a reddish orange dusty landscape

Curiosity climbs to new heights on Mars | Space photo of the day for Aug. 28, 2026

By Brett Tingley Published

NASA's Curiosity Mars rover captured a gorgeous new panorama to celebrate climbing a total of 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) throughout its now 14-year exploration of the Red Planet.

8 Comments
Mars Rovers
a dot of light disappears behind a crescent of light on a grey background

Mars rover watches Earth disappear behind Phobos | Space photo of the day for Aug. 6, 2025

By Brett Tingley Published

"Phobos crosses the Martian sky three times a day, and Earth is visible for months at a stretch, but catching one directly behind the other takes planning and a little luck."

Mars Rovers
a reddish-brown landscape of soil and rocks covered in slightly raised hexagonal lines of nearly equal size

Curiosity rover spots mysterious honeycombs on Mars | Space photo of the day for Aug. 5, 2026

By Brett Tingley Published

NASA's Curiosity Mars rover spotted surprising honeycomb-like shapes in the Red Planet soil while exploring a large valley.

Mars
five square images of a lumpy grey rock on a black background

The 1st 'three-headed' asteroid | Space photo of the day for Aug. 3, 2026

By Brett Tingley Published

New images reveal what astronomers believe is the first-known "trilobate" or three-headed asteroid in our solar system.

Asteroids
a satellite view of two long islands next to an image of two large clumps of dots seen on a grassy hill lined with snow and ice from an overhead perspective

Satellites spy penguin poop on Danger Islands | Space photo of the day for July 30, 2026

By Brett Tingley Published

Researchers used NASA satellite imagery, along with ground observations, to track changes in the diets of penguins on Antarctica's Danger Islands.

Earth
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