image of the day

Latest about image of the day

A cluster of stars inside a large nebula. The clouds of gas and dust are predominantly bright red in colour and wispy, akin to flames. They are clumped in the bottom-left corner. Other clouds, deeper in the cluster behind many of the stars, appear pale pink. The stars are concentrated in the top half of the image and are mostly small, bright white and six-pointed. They cast blue light over the nebula. Other stars with very long spikes surrounding them lie in the foreground.

Carina Nebula shines with white-blue stars | Space photo of the day for Jan. 5, 2026

By Kenna Hughes-Castleberry published

The Westerlund 2 star cluster is home to some of the Milky Way's brightest stars.

Stars
A photo of Earth from space where four snowy circles are seen against the labeled coastline of Russia with a dark blue ocean on the right of the image

Nature carves colossal snowman in Siberia | Space photo of the day for Jan. 2, 2026

By Kenna Hughes-Castleberry published

Do you want to build a snowman?

Earth
A trapezoidal building with slanted straight sides is covered in snow amidst a snowy landscape.

Space Force shows off snowy new Alaska radar post | Space photo of the day for Jan. 1, 2026

By Kenna Hughes-Castleberry published

"I am the watcher on the walls."

Earth
A glowing swirl of lights surrounds denser areas of pink color with stars surrounding the galaxy in a deep space image.

Big Bear glows with big stars | Space photo of the day for Dec. 31, 2025

By Kenna Hughes-Castleberry published

Bears, stars, Battlestar Galactica

Galaxies
This is a close-up photo of a satellite model, seen from the side. A prominent feature is a cone-shaped nozzle extending from the centre of the model. The nozzle has an iridescent surface with shades of blue, purple, red and gold. The rest of the model is covered in crinkled gold-coloured thermal insulation, which is shiny and reflective. The background is out of focus, but horizontal metal rails mounted on the wall behind the model are visible. The lighting is bright and highlights the textures of the nozzle and the insulation.

Golden satellite insulation sparkles during test | Space photo of the day for Dec. 30, 2025

By Kenna Hughes-Castleberry published

The test is designed to prepare satellites for one of the most complex tasks in space: safely approaching another object.

Satellites
A photograph of the tip of Florida and nearby Cuba from space, with lights from cities illuminating the surface of the planet, labeled cities like Orlando and Tampa are seen as well as a green surface over Earth's labeled airglow

ISS astronaut snaps stunning nighttime photo of Florida and Cuba | Space photo of the day for Dec. 29, 2025

By Kenna Hughes-Castleberry published

The image offers a rare look at how Earth's surface and atmosphere interact after sunset.

Earth
A group of people wearing dark blue shirts and black pants stand on stage with an American flag behind them and an officer kneeling down with a blue flag for the US Space Force placed in front of them.

Space Force Guardians show off shiny new duds | Space photo of the day for Dec. 26, 2025

By Kenna Hughes-Castleberry published

It marks the first time newly commissioned Space Force Guardians have graduated Officer Training School (OTS) wearing this uniform.

Space Exploration
A telescope with a triangular top wrapped in foil stands next to a scaffold with people wearing white clean suits examining it under green light.

Roman around the Christmas tree | Space photo of the day for Dec. 25, 2025

By Kenna Hughes-Castleberry published

All the NASA engineers and scientists need is a star on top of the telescope in the cleanroom.

Astronomy
Two large brown and white islands are seen in a dark blue ocean from space with various labels including Vindication Island, Medusa Pool and Lucifer Hill

NASA satellite gazes into Medusa Pool | Space photo of the day for Dec. 24, 2025

By Kenna Hughes-Castleberry published

The South Sandwich Islands were born from a tectonic collision, forged by volcanism and relentlessly reshaped by ice, wind and waves.

Earth
An image from inside a warehouse shows two tall white cylinders on either side of a yellow taller cylinder. The two white cylinders have red, white and blue paint with the words 'America 250' on them.

Artemis 2 moon rocket gets 'America 250' paint job | Space photo of the day for Dec. 23, 2025

By Kenna Hughes-Castleberry published

The "America 250" logo commemorates the upcoming 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Artemis
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