10 ‘images of the day’ captured by NASA that will blow your mind

NASA is not only a space agency, but also a source of stunning images that reveal the beauty and wonder of our universe. Every day, NASA features a different image or photograph of our fascinating cosmos, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer. These images are called the Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD) and they are available on NASA’s website. Here are 10 of the most amazing APOD images that will blow your mind.

Image: NASA

This image shows a rare phenomenon that occurred during the launch of the space shuttle Atlantis in early 2001. The Sun, Earth, Moon, and rocket were all properly aligned for the rocket’s plume to cast a long shadow that pointed toward the Full Moon on the opposite horizon. The shadow extended all the way to the horizon because the launch took place just after sunset, when the Sun was slightly below the horizon and the Moon was slightly above it.

Image: APOD/NASA

The Helix Nebula is one of the closest and most spectacular planetary nebulae, a type of nebula that forms when a star like the Sun sheds its outer layers at the end of its life. The Helix Nebula is located about 700 light-years away in the constellation of Aquarius. This image shows the nebula in two colors: red for hydrogen and blue for oxygen. The hydrogen and oxygen atoms are ionized by the ultraviolet radiation from the hot central star, creating a glowing shell of gas that resembles a giant eye.

Image: APOD/NASA

This image captures a stunning view of the Milky Way galaxy over the Seven Strong Men Rock Formations, a group of ancient and weathered stone pillars in the Komi Republic of Russia. The pillars are about 30 to 42 meters high and are made of sandstone and shale. They are also known as the Manpupuner rock formations, which means “little mountain of the gods” in the local language. The Milky Way is the galaxy that contains our solar system and billions of other stars. It appears as a bright band of stars across the night sky.

Image: APOD/NASA

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The Butterfly Nebula, also known as NGC 6302, is a bipolar planetary nebula located about 3,800 light-years away in the constellation of Scorpius. It has a wingspan of about two light-years and a temperature of over 250,000 degrees Celsius. The nebula is formed by the powerful stellar wind from a dying star that is hidden within a dense torus of dust. The wind shapes the nebula into a butterfly-like structure with intricate patterns and colors. This image was taken by the Hubble Space Telescope in 2009.

Image: APOD/NASA

The Horsehead Nebula stands out as one of the most renowned and easily identifiable nebulae in the night sky. It appears as a shadowy mass of dust and gas, obstructing the light from a brilliant star positioned behind it, forming a distinctive silhouette reminiscent of a horse’s head. Situated roughly 1,500 light-years away within the Orion constellation, this cosmic spectacle captivates observers with its enigmatic allure. In this depiction, the nebula is captured in infrared light, offering a glimpse into concealed details and structures that remain invisible to the naked eye in visible light. Additionally, infrared radiation penetrates through the obscuring dust and gas, unveiling background stars and illuminating the glowing hydrogen gas dispersed throughout the nebula’s expanse.

Image: APOD/NASA
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The Lagoon Nebula, also known as M8, is a giant interstellar cloud of gas and dust that spans about 100 light-years and is located about 5,000 light-years away in the constellation of Sagittarius. The nebula acts as a place where stars are born from the gas and dust getting squeezed and heated up. It’s also filled with young, hot stars that shine brightly and affect the nearby gas, making the whole area look colorful and dynamic.This image was taken by the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope in 2018.

Image: APOD/NASA

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The Orion Nebula, alternatively named M42, stands out as one of the most luminous and captivating nebulae observable in the nocturnal expanse. Situated approximately 1,350 light-years away within the boundaries of the Orion constellation, it spans a vast expanse as a prolific nursery for stars. This celestial spectacle presents itself as a conspicuous, hazy patch beneath Orion’s belt, discernible even to the unaided eye. Within its cosmic confines lie myriad stars, many in their nascent stages, enshrouded by swirling disks of gas and dust. In this image, the nebula is unveiled through both visible and infrared wavelengths, each offering unique insights into its composition. Visible light showcases the ethereal glow emanating from gas and dust, while the infrared spectrum unveils the clandestine presence of stars and their accompanying disks, hidden amidst the cosmic tapestry.

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The Veil Nebula, also known as the Cygnus Loop, is a supernova remnant that is the result of a massive star that exploded about 8,000 years ago. The nebula is located about 1,500 light-years away in the constellation of Cygnus. The nebula consists of several filaments of gas and dust that are heated and ionized by the shock wave from the supernova. Encompassing an expanse roughly 36 times the size of the full moon, the nebula exhibits a mesmerizing array of hues, dictated by the diverse chemical elements interwoven within its gaseous tapestry. Captured in 2015 by the Hubble Space Telescope, this image offers a captivating glimpse into the nebula’s intricate palette. Each color serves as a testament to the elemental composition of the gas, painting a vivid portrait of the cosmic chemistry at play within this celestial marvel.

Image: APOD/NASA

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The Andromeda Galaxy, also known as M31, is the nearest major galaxy to our own Milky Way galaxy. It is located about 2.5 million light-years away and is visible to the naked eye as a faint smudge in the constellation of Andromeda. The galaxy is similar to the Milky Way in size and shape, but contains about twice as many stars. This image shows the galaxy in ultraviolet light, which highlights the young and hot stars that are scattered throughout the galaxy. The ultraviolet light also reveals the spiral arms and the central bulge of the galaxy.

Image: APOD/NASA

The Sun, our solar system’s central star, serves as the primary source of sustenance and vitality for life on Earth. With a surface temperature of approximately 5,800 degrees Celsius, it emanates immense energy. However, its outer layer, known as the corona, experiences significantly higher temperatures, soaring into the millions of degrees Celsius range. This ethereal corona becomes visible during rare occurrences like total solar eclipses, where the Moon momentarily obscures the Sun’s bright disk, unveiling the delicate and intricate corona. Furthermore, modern satellites like the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) continuously monitor the Sun, capturing its various facets in diverse wavelengths of light. Utilizing extreme ultraviolet light, for instance, SDO unveils the corona’s elaborate and ever-changing structure, intricately shaped by the Sun’s pervasive magnetic field.

Image: APOD/NASA