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.
What Is the Astronomy Picture of the Day?
The Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD) is one of NASA's most beloved public outreach programs. Launched on June 16, 1995 by astronomers Robert Nemiroff and Jerry Bonnell at Michigan Technological University, APOD has published a unique astronomy-related image every single day for nearly three decades. The archive now contains over 11,000 entries, making it one of the most comprehensive visual records of astronomical discovery ever assembled.
Each APOD entry features an image or video -- ranging from deep-space photographs captured by the Hubble and James Webb Space Telescopes to ground-based astrophotography, planetary science imagery, and artistic visualizations -- accompanied by a brief, accessible explanation written by a professional astronomer. The program has been translated into more than 20 languages and consistently ranks among the most visited science websites worldwide, bringing the beauty of the cosmos to millions of viewers every day.
APOD images come from a variety of sources including NASA missions, ESA observatories, amateur astrophotographers, and research institutions. While many NASA-produced images are in the public domain, individual copyright varies by contributor. The program has played a significant role in science communication, inspiring countless students, educators, and members of the public to engage with astronomy and space science.
APOD stands for Astronomy Picture of the Day, a service provided by NASA and Michigan Technological University. Each day since June 16, 1995, a different image or photograph of our universe has been featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer. APOD has become one of the most popular astronomy websites in the world, with translations available in over 20 languages.
How often is APOD updated?
APOD is updated once every day, typically around midnight Eastern Time (US). A new image or video is selected and published with an accompanying explanation. On rare occasions, the update may be slightly delayed, but NASA has maintained the daily schedule almost without interruption since the program's launch on June 16, 1995.
Can I use APOD images for personal or educational purposes?
Most APOD images are in the public domain because they were created by NASA, which means they are generally free to use for educational and informational purposes. However, some images are copyrighted by the photographers or institutions that captured them -- check the copyright notice on each image. Always credit the source. For commercial use, contact the copyright holder directly.
