Live Space Data
Explore the Cosmos
Through NASA Data
Real-time ISS tracking, Mars rover imagery, asteroid monitoring, and the universe's most stunning photographs -- all powered by NASA open data APIs.
Asteroids Today
19
ISS Location
48.3°, 17.6°
Mars Sol (Curiosity)
4400+
Live
ISS Position: 48.25, 17.58 | Altitude: ~408 kmLiveClosest asteroid today: 2026 FU2 at 924,242 km19 near-Earth asteroids tracked today18 solar flares detected in the past 30 daysToday's APOD: "Robert Goddard and Nell"2 Mars rovers actively exploring the Red PlanetISS Position: 48.25, 17.58 | Altitude: ~408 kmLiveClosest asteroid today: 2026 FU2 at 924,242 km19 near-Earth asteroids tracked today18 solar flares detected in the past 30 daysToday's APOD: "Robert Goddard and Nell"2 Mars rovers actively exploring the Red Planet
Your Free Online Space Observatory
Cosmos Observatory is a comprehensive, free platform for exploring the universe using real NASA data and open-source space APIs. Whether you are a seasoned astronomer, a student learning about the cosmos, or simply someone who gazes at the night sky in wonder, our tools bring the latest discoveries from space agencies directly to your screen. From the breathtaking daily photographs featured in NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD) to live telemetry from the International Space Station orbiting 408 kilometers above Earth, every piece of data here is sourced from official scientific instruments and missions.
Our platform aggregates data from multiple NASA APIs including the Near Earth Object Web Service for asteroid tracking, the Mars Rover Photos API for images captured on the Martian surface by Curiosity and Perseverance, the DONKI API for solar weather monitoring, and the NASA Image and Video Library for searching over 140,000 publicly available space images in our gallery. We also feature an interactive solar system explorer, a comprehensive exoplanet database with over 5,700 confirmed worlds, rocket launch schedules, Earth observation imagery from the EPIC camera aboard the DSCOVR satellite, and an educational glossary of astronomy terms. All data refreshes automatically so you always have access to the most current information available.
Explore
Your Gateway to Space
Dive into live data from NASA missions, track near-Earth objects, and explore the wonders of our universe.
Active
Mars Rovers
Browse thousands of photos from Curiosity and Perseverance on the Martian surface. Explore the Red Planet through NASA rover cameras.
Explore
Near-Earth Asteroids
19
Closest: 2026 FU2
View details
Live
ISS Tracker
Currently at 48.3, 17.6 traveling at ~27,600 km/h. Track the station live on our interactive map.
Explore
Solar Flares (30d)
18
Detected solar events
View details
Astronomy Picture of the Day
Robert Goddard and Nell
March 28, 2026
Robert H. Goddard, considered the father of modern rocketry, was born in Worcester Massachusetts in 1882. As a 16 year old, Goddard read H.G. Wells' science fiction classic "War Of The Worlds" and dreamed of space flight. By 1926 he had designed, built, and flown the world's first liquid fuel rocket. Launched 100 years ago, on March 16, 1926 from his aunt Effie's farm in Auburn Massachusetts, the rocket dubbed "Nell", rose to an altitude of 41 feet in a flight that lasted about 2 1/2 seconds. In this posed photo Goddard stands next to the 10 foot tall rocket, holding the launch stand frame. To achieve a stable flight without the need for fins, the rocket's heavy motor was located at the top, fed by lines from liquid oxygen and gasoline fuel tanks at the bottom. Widely recognized as a gifted experimenter and engineering genius, his rockets were many years ahead of their time. Goddard was awarded over 200 patents in rocket technology, most of them after his death in 1945. A liquid fuel rocket constructed on principles developed by Goddard landed humans on the Moon in 1969.
View Full APODResources
Space Knowledge Hub
Deepen your understanding of the cosmos with our curated educational resources, interactive astronomy tools, and comprehensive space encyclopedias.
Space & Astronomy Glossary
From accretion disks to zenith, explore hundreds of space science terms explained in plain language. Perfect for students, educators, and curious minds navigating the language of the cosmos.
Browse termsInteractive Space Tools
Calculate interplanetary distances, convert astronomical units, and discover what's visible in the night sky tonight. Free tools built for amateur astronomers and space enthusiasts.
Explore toolsAbout Cosmos Observatory
Learn how we bring real-time NASA data to your screen. Discover our mission to make space exploration accessible through open data, interactive visualizations, and community-driven science education.
Our missionBy the Numbers
The Scale of Discovery
Humanity's ever-growing catalogue of cosmic observations, from our neighboring asteroids to distant exoplanets.
0+APOD Images Published
0+Known Near-Earth Asteroids
0+Confirmed Exoplanets
0+Mars Sols Explored
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Learn more about Cosmos Observatory, our data sources, and how to explore the universe.
What is APOD (Astronomy Picture of the Day)?
APOD stands for Astronomy Picture of the Day, a NASA program that has published one unique astronomy image or photograph every day since June 16, 1995. Each image is accompanied by a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer. APOD has become one of the most popular science websites, with millions of monthly visitors exploring galaxies, nebulae, planets, and other cosmic phenomena.
How can I track near-Earth asteroids in real time?
Cosmos Observatory provides a live asteroid tracker powered by NASA's NeoWs (Near Earth Object Web Service) API. You can monitor asteroids making close approaches to Earth, view their estimated diameters, velocities, miss distances, and whether they are classified as potentially hazardous. Our tracker updates every 15 minutes with the latest data from NASA's Center for Near Earth Object Studies (CNEOS).
What is the International Space Station (ISS) and how do I track it?
The International Space Station is a modular space station in low Earth orbit, orbiting at approximately 408 km altitude and traveling at roughly 27,600 km/h. It completes one orbit every 90 minutes. Our ISS Tracker page shows the station's real-time position on an interactive map, displays current crew members, and provides orbital data including latitude, longitude, and altitude updated every few seconds.
How many exoplanets have been discovered so far?
As of 2025, NASA has confirmed over 5,700 exoplanets -- planets orbiting stars outside our solar system. These discoveries come from missions like Kepler, TESS, and ground-based observatories using techniques such as the transit method and radial velocity. Our Exoplanet Explorer lets you filter and explore these worlds by discovery method, size, temperature, orbital period, and habitable zone status.
Stay Connected to the Cosmos
Get weekly highlights: the best APOD picks, asteroid close approaches, mission updates, and space weather alerts delivered to your inbox.
No spam. Unsubscribe at any time. We respect your privacy.