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Latest about image of the day

A rocket takes off in black and white infrared.
SpaceX's Crew-13 astronaut launch in infrared | Space photo of the day for Oct. 5, 2026

By Chelsea Gohd Published

On Thursday (Oct. 1), SpaceX's four-person Crew-13 mission launched toward the International Space Station. Here's a striking IR view of the liftoff.

Human Spaceflight
A square blue image, with a little over half of Earth taking up most of the image. Earth looks like how we see the Moon when it is waxing or waning at just over a half-Moon. Because this is an ultraviolet image, Earth does not appear in its usual colours, but is light blue with a white ring. This ring is about a third of the size of the face of Earth that we see, and is quite swirly, like clouds or dye being mixed with water. The background of the image is dark blue, with some tiny white dots: these are stars. The stars are moving downwards, giving the impression that the satellite taking the footage is moving. Text at the top left says 'Smile UVI / 2026-07-24T00:00:00 UT' with the timestamp increasing from 00:00:00 to 00:59:08 throughout the GIF
Earth's hidden daytime auroras revealed from space | Space photo of the day for Oct. 2, 2026

By Daisy Dobrijevic Published

This remarkable view of Earth shows the northern lights encircling Earth.

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Auroras
NASA's Mars Perseverance rover acquired this image using its SHERLOC WATSON camera, located on the turret at the end of the rover's robotic arm. Perseverance acquired this image on Sept. 1, 2026 (Sol 1967, or Martian day 1,967 of the Mars 2020 mission) at the local mean solar time of 16:18:01.
Mars rover explores 'Wild West' on the Red Planet | Space photo of the day for Oct. 1, 2026

By Chelsea Gohd Published

NASA's Perseverance rover has been busy exploring Mars' "Wild West."

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Mars
Venice, as seen from orbit.
Satellite spies blue lagoon around Venice canals | Space photo of the day for Sept. 30, 2026

By Chelsea Gohd Published

The bright blue lagoon waters of Venice and its iconic canals stand out in this true-color satellite image.

Earth
NASA's SpaceX Crew-13 rocket sits on the launch pad.
NASA's Crew-13 mission readies on the launch pad | Space photo of the day for Sept. 29, 2026

By Chelsea Gohd Published

NASA's SpaceX Crew-13 rocket and spacecraft sit on the launch pad.

Human Spaceflight
Wavy patterned deposits on Mars.
Strange 'coral reef' deposits reveal Mars' climate history | Space photo of the day for Sept. 28, 2026

By Chelsea Gohd Published

Unusual formations in Mars' Arabia Terra region reveal the Red Planet's climate history.

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Mars
composite image showing a vast desert landscape covered in dark green flora and an inset image showing a small pink wildflower with antennas in the background.
Satellites spy rare explosion of color in Australian desert | Space photo of the day for Sept. 24, 2026

By Daisy Dobrijevic Published

A spectacular wildflower bloom has transformed parts of Western Australia's normally arid landscape following months of unusually wet weather.

Earth
A scene of dust, gas and stars in red, orange, black and blue.
James Webb Space Telescope finds water near our nearest supermassive black hole | Space photo of the day for Sept. 23, 2026

By Chelsea Gohd Published

Things are weird near our galaxy's black hole.

Astronomy
Central Asia's city lights as seen from the ISS.
Astronaut spies city lights, auroras and star trails from the ISS | Space photo of the day for Sept. 22, 2026

By Chelsea Gohd Published

City lights streak by as stars twinkle in the distance in this image captured from aboard the International Space Station.

International Space Station
A black and white overhead view of the crater. It really looks like something smashed into it, creating streaks of material flowing outward.
A giant new crater on the moon | Space photo of the day for Sept. 21, 2026

By Monisha Ravisetti Published

McGetchin crater formed some time in 2024 and is as wide as two football fields.

The moon
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