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This website is not affiliated with, maintained, authorized, endorsed by, or in any way officially connected with NASA or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates. All NASA imagery is in the public domain unless otherwise noted. Data sourced from NASA Open APIs, Launch Library 2, and other open data services.

NASA Gallery

Explore NASA's vast collection of space images, videos, and audio from missions past and present.

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NASA's Image and Video Library: A Visual Archive of Space Exploration

NASA's Image and Video Library is one of the most comprehensive public archives of space imagery in the world, containing over 140,000 images, videos, and audio recordings spanning more than six decades of space exploration. From the earliest Mercury and Gemini missions through the Apollo Moon landings, the Space Shuttle era, and today's cutting-edge observations from the James Webb Space Telescope, this collection documents humanity's journey into the cosmos.

The library includes imagery from diverse sources: telescopes like Hubble and Webb that capture deep-space nebulae, galaxies, and exoplanets; planetary missions like the Mars rovers ( browse Mars photos) and Cassini at Saturn; Earth observation satellites ( see EPIC imagery); astronaut photography from the ISS; and documentation of rocket launches, spacecraft assembly, and ground testing. Most NASA images are in the public domain and free to download at full resolution for educational, editorial, and personal use.

Use the search bar above to find specific subjects — try queries like "Apollo 11," "Hubble Deep Field," "Mars surface," or "astronaut EVA." You can also filter by media type (image, video, or audio). For a daily curated experience, visit the Astronomy Picture of the Day.

Showing results for "glowing tail"

17 results found

NASA image: In the Blackest Night, a Green Ring Nebula
Image
Jun 15, 2011

In the Blackest Night, a Green Ring Nebula

This glowing emerald nebula seen by NASA Spitzer Space Telescope is named RCW 120; this region of hot gas and...

JPL
NASA image: Comet NEOWISE Captured Above Lone Pine Lake at Dawn
Image
Jul 14, 2020

Comet NEOWISE Captured Above Lone Pine Lake at Dawn

An image of the Comet C/2020 F3 NEOWISE (Comet NEOWISE) captured above the tree line of Lone Pine Lake, located on...

AFRC
NASA image: sts105-710-081
Image
Aug 10, 2001

sts105-710-081

STS105-710-081 (10-22 August 2001) --- One of the astronauts on the aft flight deck of the Space Shuttle Discovery...

JSC
NASA image: Glow phenomenon surrounding the vertical stabilizer and OMS pods
Image
Mar 5, 1994

Glow phenomenon surrounding the vertical stabilizer and OMS pods

STS062-42-026 (4-18 March 1994) --- This 35mm frame, photographed as the Space Shuttle Columbia was orbiting Earth...

JSC
NASA image: KSC-05pd-1297
Image
Jun 14, 2005

KSC-05pd-1297

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Lights inside the Vehicle Assembly Building cast an orange glow on Space Shuttle...

KSC
NASA image: KSC-00padig078
Image
Nov 3, 2000

KSC-00padig078

In the glow of a late afternoon sun, the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA) returns the orbiter Discovery to KSC after...

KSC
NASA image: Mercury Sodium Tail
Image
Apr 16, 2015

Mercury Sodium Tail

This image from NASA MESSENGER spacecraft is stitched together from thousands of observations made over the past 4...

JPL
NASA image: KSC00padig080
Image
Nov 3, 2000

KSC00padig080

Catching the glow of the late afternoon sun, the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA) rolls down the runway at the Shuttle...

KSC
NASA image: KSC-00padig080
Image
Nov 3, 2000

KSC-00padig080

Catching the glow of the late afternoon sun, the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA) rolls down the runway at the Shuttle...

KSC
NASA image: KSC-02pd0897
Image
Jun 5, 2002

KSC-02pd0897

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Its fiery tail casting a pink glow on cirrus clouds and water below, Space Shuttle...

KSC
NASA image: The Tadpole and the Wriggler
Image
Apr 14, 2014

The Tadpole and the Wriggler

A bright blue tadpole appears to swim through the inky blackness of space. Known as IRAS 20324+4057, but dubbed "the...

JPL
NASA image: KSC-2011-5657
Image
Jul 21, 2011

KSC-2011-5657

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space shuttle Atlantis' three main engines glow a red hue in the spacecraft's tail end as it...

KSC
NASA image: History of Chandra X-Ray Observatory
Image
Sep 24, 2004

History of Chandra X-Ray Observatory

Astronomers have used an x-ray image to make the first detailed study of the behavior of high-energy particles...

MSFC
NASA image: The Final Landing of STS-135 Atlantis
Image
Jul 21, 2011

The Final Landing of STS-135 Atlantis

STS135-S-183 (21 July 2011) --- Space shuttle Atlantis' three main engines glow a red hue in the spacecraft's tail...

JSC
NASA image: KSC-2011-5656
Image
Jul 21, 2011

KSC-2011-5656

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space shuttle Atlantis' three main engines glow a red hue in the spacecraft's tail end as it...

KSC
NASA image: The Final Landing of STS-135 Atlantis
Image
Jul 21, 2011

The Final Landing of STS-135 Atlantis

STS135-S-184 (21 July 2011) --- Space shuttle Atlantis' three main engines glow a red hue in the spacecraft's tail...

JSC
NASA image: NASA's IMAGE Spacecraft View of Aurora Australis from Space
Image
Dec 8, 2017

NASA's IMAGE Spacecraft View of Aurora Australis from Space

NASA file image acquired September 11, 2005 To view a video of this event go here:...

GSFC

Frequently Asked Questions About NASA Images

Are NASA images free to use?+
Yes, most NASA images are in the public domain and are free to use for educational, informational, and personal purposes. NASA's media usage guidelines state that NASA material is not copyrighted unless otherwise noted. However, the NASA logo and certain insignia are protected. Some images may include identifiable individuals or third-party content that requires additional permissions. Always check the specific image's usage rights and credit NASA as the source.
How many images does NASA have?+
NASA's Image and Video Library contains over 140,000 publicly accessible images, videos, and audio files spanning the agency's entire history, from the Mercury program of the 1960s to the latest James Webb Space Telescope discoveries. The collection grows daily as new missions capture imagery and archival materials are digitized. Individual mission archives, such as Mars rover photos, contain hundreds of thousands of additional images.
Can I download NASA images?+
Yes, you can download NASA images in multiple resolutions directly from this gallery. Each image detail page provides download links for original (full resolution), large (1920px), medium (960px), small (480px), and thumbnail sizes. NASA encourages the public to use these images for education, media, and personal projects. High-resolution originals are ideal for printing and professional use.

Explore More NASA Content

Astronomy Picture of the Day

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