Pictures from Outer Space

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Here are some cool pictures from outer space. You can make any of these images into your computer desktop wallpaper. Just click on an image to enlarge it, and then choose “Set as Desktop Background”.

STS-29 Onboard photo - External Tank Separation

This photo of the external tank after separation with the space shuttle Discovery was captured from the International Space Station during the STS-29 mission in 1989. The external tank or ET is an important component of a space shuttle flight since it supplies the fuel and oxidizer under pressure to the three space shuttle main engines.

The Brightest of Stars

Here’s an image of a star-forming region called LH 95 taken by NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope. LH 95 is located in the Large Magellanic Cloud that orbits the Milky Way.

Earth in Full View

This is a spectacular full view of our planet earth. It was taken by the Apollo 17 during their journey to the moon in 1972. The south polar ice cap of Antarctica can be clearly seen in the image. This region constitutes 70% of the world’s freshwater.

Buzz Aldrin on the Moon

Here’s an image of Astronaut Buzz Aldrin taken from the moon by Neil Armstrong during the extravehicular activity of the Apollo 11 mission. Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin were the first men to step on the moon.

Crescent Planet

This is an image of planet Uranus taken from the Voyager 2 spacecraft on January 25, 1986. Uranus is such an interesting planet because during the ancient times, it wasn’t recognized as a planet due to its dimness and slow orbit.

We have written many articles that feature space pictures for Universe Today. Here’s a collection of more outerspace pictures, and here are some free space pictures.

If you’d like more amazing photographs, the best place to look is NASA’s Astronomy Picture of the Day. I also recommend you check out the website for the Hubble Space Telescope.

We’ve recorded many episodes of Astronomy Cast, including one about Hubble. Check it out, Episode 88: The Hubble Space Telescope.