In conjunction with the relaunch of Cosmos: A Space-Time Odyssey, a 13-part astronomy series hosted by famously charming scientist Neil deGrasse Tyson and premiering in more than 70 countries, NASA has excitedly put together an inspired set of cosmic photographs to rally us all behind space exploration. It worked; we’re excited.
You can check out our favorites below of some truly incredible close-ups of nebulae, planets, and stars farther away than anyone could ever imagine:
The storms of Saturn’s north pole. (Via Flickr. Click for larger image.)
Explosions of hydrogen gas creating the Carina Nebula. (Via Flickr. Click for larger image.)
The remnants of a supernova, first recorded 1,000 years ago, still visible and known as the Crab Nebula. (Via Flickr. Click for larger image.)
The aurora borealis, as seen from space. (Via Flickr. Click for larger image.)
A colorization of the famous Horsehead Nebula, discovered more than a century ago. (Via Flickr. Click for larger image.)
Spiral galaxy M83 showing us stellar birth and death. (Via Flickr. Click for larger image.)
Saturn’s blazing red auroras, reaching hundreds of miles high and shining bright for days without end. (Via Flickr. Click for larger image.)
The sun, more terrifying than ever, juxtaposed with our tiny Earth. (Via Flickr. Click for larger image.)
Even if you’ve seen some of these spectacular images before, they’re worth a look—they’re a firm reminder of just how small a role we play in the universe, and how beautiful celestial formations look from afar.
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The television show Cosmos is about many things, but ASTROLOGY is not among them.
First sentence should read “… 13-part astronomy show … ” not ” … 13-part astrology show …”
I think you mean astronomy
So, uh, that’s the aurora *australis*. Not borealis.