NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day

ALT An image of a simulated brain model, captured in vivid fluorescent colors. The image shows a dense cluster of cells with blue nuclei, astrocytes gathering to form a pattern similar to a scar (green) and express a protein that controls the permeability of blood vessels (red).

ALT A detailed astrophotograph of the Heart Nebula (IC 1805), a vibrant red and blue emission nebula located in the constellation Cassiopeia. The nebula's glowing red filaments of ionized hydrogen gas form a heart-like shape, with intricate dark and bright regions. Scattered stars are visible across the cosmic expanse.

ALT A compiled image and pattern of asteroid Dinkinesh and its binary asteroid against a black backdrop.

ALT This illustration depicts a cutaway of an ocean wave in sunset colors of pinks, blues, and purples. The wave sweeps up to the right, following the motion of luminescent pink, golden auroras on the horizon. The auroras curve upward through the sky, meeting up with a large bluish/purplish spiral galaxy in the upper left. On the far side of the galaxy is an exoplanet system and distant deep field galaxies. On the auroral path is Earth’s Moon, the asteroid Bennu, Mars, and Europa - all bodies in our solar system where water has been found. Above the horizon, the international space station hovers in the sky, while the Europa Clipper mission hovers near Jupiter’s icy moon. Molecular structures drift up from the ocean’s depths, becoming constellations once they reach the sky. They follow the auroras upward toward the galaxy, connecting life to the stars. A few meteors streak across the middle sky. Backlit by the setting sun, a NASA-funded research vessel sails in the foreground.