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APOD Archive

Explore the full Astronomy Picture of the Day collection from NASA. Every image since June 16, 1995 -- over 11,000 cosmic photographs and videos curated by professional astronomers, showcasing galaxies, nebulae, planets, supernovae, and the grandeur of our universe.

About the APOD Archive

The Astronomy Picture of the Day archive is one of the most valuable resources in astronomy education and public outreach. Created by Robert Nemiroff and Jerry Bonnell on June 16, 1995, APOD has published a unique space-related image or video every day for nearly three decades. The archive contains over 11,000 entries, each accompanied by a professional explanation that makes complex astrophysical concepts accessible to a general audience.

The images in this archive span the full breadth of astronomical observation: from close-up photographs of planets and moons captured by spacecraft like Cassini and Juno, to deep-field exposures revealing galaxies billions of light-years away taken by the Hubble and James Webb Space Telescopes. The collection also includes ground-based astrophotography from observatories worldwide, artistic visualizations of theoretical concepts, time-lapse photography of celestial events, and images contributed by talented amateur astronomers. Whether you are researching a specific topic, looking for educational materials, or simply want to marvel at the universe, the APOD archive is an unparalleled resource.

Use the filters below to browse by year and month. Click any image to view its full explanation, high-resolution version, and copyright information. You can also visit today's APOD for the latest entry.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many images are in the APOD archive?
The APOD archive contains over 11,000 entries, with one image or video published every single day since June 16, 1995. The collection includes photographs from the Hubble Space Telescope, James Webb Space Telescope, ground-based observatories, planetary missions, amateur astrophotographers, and more. New entries are added daily, making it one of the longest-running and most comprehensive astronomy image collections in the world.
How do I search the APOD archive by date?
Use the filter controls at the top of the archive page to select a specific year and month. The archive will display all APOD entries for that month in reverse chronological order (newest first). You can browse any month from June 1995 to the present day. Clicking on any image will take you to the full APOD entry with its detailed explanation.
Can I download APOD images from the archive?
Most APOD images offer a high-resolution download link on their individual pages. Many NASA-produced images are in the public domain and can be freely used for educational and non-commercial purposes. However, some images are contributed by individual astrophotographers or institutions and carry copyright restrictions. Always check the copyright notice on each image before downloading or redistributing.
What was the first APOD ever published?
The very first Astronomy Picture of the Day was published on June 16, 1995. It featured "Neutron Star Earth," an illustration showing the relative size of a neutron star compared to the island of Manhattan. The program was created by Robert Nemiroff and Jerry Bonnell, two NASA astronomers at the Goddard Space Flight Center, and has continued uninterrupted ever since.