Space Exploration

NASA satellites, scientists and data are cranking 24/7 to help us all better understand and sustain our home planet. We have so much going on from the seas to the stratosphere that in April 2013 we are celebrate Earth Day (April 22) all month long.

Delve into the enigmatic realm of plasma, the dominant constituent of the visible universe, constituting a staggering 99.9% of it. But what exactly is plasma? In this illuminating video, we unravel the mysteries surrounding this electrifying state of matter. Discover where plasma resides in the cosmos and gain insights into how NASA conducts groundbreaking studies to unlock its secrets. Explore the electrifying universe of plasma with us! Credits NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center Writers Mara Johnson-Groh (Wyle Information Systems) Genna Duberstein (ADNET) Producer Beth Anthony (KBRwyle)

Embark on a journey through the cosmos as NASA's captivating animation delves into the awe-inspiring world of supermassive black holes. These colossal cosmic entities reside at the hearts of galaxies, including our own Milky Way, boasting a staggering mass that can range from hundreds of thousands to tens of billions of times that of our Sun. In this visually stunning animation, witness the intriguing phenomenon surrounding these supermassive black holes. As any form of light ventures beyond the event horizon—the point of no return—it becomes forever imprisoned, while light grazing its vicinity is dramatically bent by the black hole's immense gravitational force. The result is a profound "shadow" that extends to about twice the size of the black hole's actual event horizon. Our cosmic tour introduces you to ten of these supermassive black holes, each taking center stage in their respective galaxies, from the familiar Milky Way to the colossal M87. As we journey outward from the vicinity of our Sun, the camera gradually pulls back, providing a fascinating comparison between these celestial behemoths and various structures within our solar system. Meet 1601+3113, a dwarf galaxy housing a black hole with the mass equivalent to 100,000 Suns. Here, the matter is so densely packed that even the black hole's shadow appears smaller than our own Sun. Next up, we arrive at the heart of our galaxy, Sagittarius A*, weighing in at a colossal 4.3 million times the mass of our Sun. Its shadow spans approximately half the size of Mercury's orbit in our solar system. Marvel at the two massive black holes residing within the galaxy NGC 7727, separated by a distance of 1,600 light-years. One weighs an astonishing 6 million solar masses, while the other exceeds 150 million Suns. Astronomers predict their eventual merger, anticipated to occur within the next 250 million years. As we scale up the animation, we reach M87's black hole, now estimated to possess the mass of 5.4 billion Suns. Its shadow is so vast that even a beam of light, hurtling at a staggering speed of 670 million mph (1 billion kph), would take around two and a half days to traverse it. Our cosmic odyssey concludes with TON 618, one of the few distant and immensely massive black holes for which astronomers have direct measurements. This cosmic titan boasts an astonishing mass of over 60 billion solar masses, accompanied by a shadow so immense that it would take weeks for a beam of light to traverse its colossal expanse. Join us as we unlock the mysteries of the universe's most enigmatic and colossal creations—supermassive black holes. Music credit: "In the Stars" from Universal Production Music Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center Conceptual Image Lab Lead Producer: Scott Wiessinger (KBRwyle) Lead Animator: Krystofer Kim (KBRwyle) Lead Science writer: Francis Reddy (University of Maryland College Park) Visualizer: Jeremy Schnittman (NASA/GSFC) Producer: Sophia Roberts (AIMM) Scientist: Jeremy Schnittman (NASA/GSFC)

In this visual representation, we explore a remarkable cosmic phenomenon: when a star ventures too close to a black hole, the gravitational forces at play are so powerful that they tear the star apart. This extraordinary event, known as a "tidal disruption," unfolds in a dramatic manner. As the star gets too close to the black hole, it undergoes a process where some of its shattered remains are catapulted outward at incredibly high speeds, while the rest gets inexorably drawn towards the insatiable gravitational pull of the black hole. This dynamic interaction results in a unique X-ray flare that can persist for several years. To unravel the mysteries surrounding such events, NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory, the Swift Gamma-ray Burst Explorer, and ESA/NASA's XMM-Newton spacecraft have come together, each contributing essential pieces to the cosmic puzzle. Their combined efforts shed light on a particular tidal disruption event called ASASSN-14li. This event was initially discovered through an optical survey conducted by the All-Sky Automated Survey for Supernovae (ASAS-SN) back in November 2014. ASASSN-14li unfolded in the vicinity of a supermassive black hole, which is estimated to possess a mass several million times greater than that of our Sun. This cosmic drama played out within the heart of PGC 043234, a distant galaxy located approximately 290 million light-years away. Astronomers are eagerly searching for more occurrences akin to ASASSN-14li. These events serve as critical testing grounds for theoretical models, allowing scientists to gain deeper insights into how black holes influence their surrounding environments. During the course of a tidal disruption event, slender strands containing a significant portion of the star's mass plunge toward the black hole. Over time, these gaseous strands converge into a seamless, scorching-hot disk that radiates with intense X-rays. As this disk takes shape, its central region becomes extraordinarily heated, leading to the emergence of a powerful outflow of material known as a "wind," which streams away from the disk. Credits NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. Brian Monroe (USRA): Lead Animator Scott Wiessinger (USRA): Lead Producer Francis Reddy (Syneren Technologies): Lead Writer Jon Miller (University of Michigan): Lead Scientist

Year after year, the moon's unchanging appearance may deceive us, with its craters and landscapes seemingly frozen in time. However, beneath its serene surface lies a remarkable history of evolution. Thanks to the remarkable insights provided by NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, we can now peer into the moon's dynamic past. Join us in this video as we uncover the fascinating story of how the moon transformed over billions of years, unveiling its secrets and mysteries. Credits Chris Smith (HTSI): Lead Animator Chris Smith (HTSI): Video Editor Chris Meaney (HTSI): Narrator Chris Smith (HTSI): Producer Richard Vondrak (NASA/GSFC): Scientist John Keller (NASA/GSFC): Scientist Noah Petro (NASA/GSFC): Scientist James Rice (NASA/GSFC): Scientist Chris Smith (HTSI): Writer

Dive into the mesmerizing depths of Kraken Mare, Saturn's moon Titan's vast methane sea, with NASA's revolutionary submarine design. This captivating video unveils a concept developed by NASA's brightest minds, set to navigate Titan's alien world of methane rain and rivers. Join us on this incredible journey, as we showcase the collaborative efforts of NASA's Glenn COMPASS Team, Applied Physics Lab experts, and visionary submarine designers from the Applied Research Lab. Immerse yourself in this extraordinary expedition, set to the backdrop of evocative music. A heartfelt salute to NASA for pushing the boundaries of exploration.That final now write keywords that ranked highly include space exploration and nasa. Credit: NASA

Join the NASA Langley team as they unveil an extraordinary plan to explore Venus like never before. Say hello to HAVOC: a groundbreaking High Altitude Venus Operational Concept. This visionary concept involves a remarkable, lighter-than-air rocket ship designed to carry two brave astronauts on a captivating 30-day animated journey through Venus's atmosphere. Discover the challenges of this daring endeavor, from navigating smog-like sulfuric acid clouds to enduring scorching surface temperatures and intense air pressure. Get ready for an animated expedition of a lifetime as we prepare to conquer the enigmatic secrets of Venus. CREDIT: NASA

Embark on a captivating documentary journey that explores the mysteries of Pluto and takes you to the very edge of our solar system. 'Exploring Pluto: A Documentary Journey to the Solar System's Edge' is a fascinating exploration of the New Horizons mission, humanity's pioneering venture into the Kuiper Belt – a vast expanse of icy bodies and enigmatic objects that orbit beyond Neptune. This one-hour documentary delves into the heart of the mission's inception, revealing the technological ingenuity behind the New Horizons spacecraft, which was designed, built, and is operated by the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in Maryland. Gain insight into NASA's Science Mission Directorate in Washington, which oversees the mission, and learn about the New Frontiers Program managed by NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. Featuring insightful interviews with notable experts including Dr. James Green, John Spencer, Fran Bagenal, and Mark Showalter, this documentary illuminates the significance of New Horizons in unraveling the mysteries of our solar system. Venture alongside us as we unravel the story of 'Exploring Pluto,' a remarkable journey that sheds light on Pluto's enigmatic features, its role in the Kuiper Belt, and the cosmic mysteries waiting to be uncovered on the distant horizons of space Credit: NASA

Mark your calendars for October 14, 2023, because something spectacular is about to happen! There's going to be a unique "ring of fire" solar eclipse that will journey all the way from the Oregon coast down to the Gulf of Mexico. If the weather cooperates, a big chunk of the Americas will be treated to the sight of this special eclipse – so keep your fingers crossed for clear skies. Imagine this: the Moon is going to slide between the Sun and the Earth, but it won't quite cover the Sun completely. Instead, it will create a stunning bright ring in the sky. NASA has put together a neat 2023 and 2024 Solar Eclipse Map, which you can check out here: [NASA Solar Eclipse Map](https://go.nasa.gov/USEclipseMaps). Now, here's the important part: never, and I mean never, look directly at the Sun during an annular eclipse without the right eye protection. Regular sunglasses won't do the trick. You need specialized eyewear designed for safe solar viewing. Safety always comes first, so make sure you're properly equipped if you want to enjoy this celestial event. And remember, none of this would be possible without the incredible people at NASA! Big thanks to them for making sure we don't miss out on these cosmic wonders. Credit: NASA Producer: Sonnet Apple Music: Universal Production Music

NASA revealed the first five full-color images and spectrographic data from the world's most powerful space telescope, the James Webb Space Telescope, a partnership with ESA (European Space Agency), and CSA (Canadian Space Agency). The world got its first look at the full capabilities of the mission at a live event streamed from the agency's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, on July 12, 2022. The event showcased these targets: - Carina Nebula: A landscape speckled with glittering stars and cosmic cliffs - Stephan's Quintet: An enormous mosaic with a visual grouping of five galaxies - Southern Ring Nebula: A nebula with rings of gas and dust for thousands of years in all directions -WASP 96-b: A distinct signature of water in the atmosphere of an exoplanet orbiting a distant Sun-like star -SMACS 0723: The deepest and sharpest infrared image of the distant universe to date The full set of the telescope's first full-color images and spectroscopic data are available at: https://nasa.gov/webbfirstimages Full-resolution images can be downloaded at: https://webbtelescope.org Credit: NASA Download Avail Link: https://images.nasa.gov/details-First...) Production Credit: Producer/Editor: Amy Leniarthtt

NASA is crashing a spacecraft into an asteroid... on purpose! Our #DARTmission is a first-of-its-kind #PlanetaryDefense test to change the motion of an asteroid in space so that we could use this technique if an asteroid were ever discovered to be a threat to Earth. Follow DART: www.nasa.gov/DART The DART mission is a test of a technique that could be used to mitigate the threat of an asteroid on a collision course with Earth should one be discovered in the future. DART's target is not a threat to Earth. While no known asteroid larger than 140 meters in size has a significant chance to hit Earth for the next 100 years, only about 40 percent of those asteroids have been found as of October 2021. Producer/Editor: Jessica Wilde Producer: Scott Bednar Videographers: James Lucas and Seth Robinson

We Are NASA: Going to the Moon, to Stay, by 2024 - Unveiling the Lunar Future Embark on a remarkable journey as we, NASA, unveil our audacious mission: "We Are Going to the Moon, to Stay, by 2024." Join us in exploring the extraordinary endeavor of establishing a lasting human presence on the lunar surface. Witness our determination to surpass previous achievements, as we, NASA, forge ahead into a new era of space exploration. Through this video, immerse yourself in the vision, technology, and commitment of NASA driving us to make the Moon a home for humanity. Experience the excitement of our upcoming lunar permanence, where we, NASA, take giant strides beyond our planet and shape the destiny of space exploration. Special thanks to William Shatner for lending his voice to this project. About NASA's Moon to Mars plans: https://www.nasa.gov/specials/moon2mars/ Credit: NASA

We've taken giant leaps and left our mark in the heavens. Now we're building the next chapter, returning to the Moon to stay, and preparing to go beyond. We are NASA - and after 60 years, we're just getting started. Special thanks to Mike Rowe for the voiceover work. This video is available for download from NASA's Image and Video Library: https://images.nasa.gov/details/NHQ_2019_0508_We%20Are%20NASA

In this episode of "This Week @NASA," we delve into the remarkable discoveries made by the Webb Telescope in the early universe. Join us as we explore the groundbreaking findings that have reshaped our understanding of the cosmos. Witness the unveiling of distant galaxies, the detection of ancient star formations, and the identification of mysterious cosmic phenomena. From the birth of stars to the evolution of galaxies, this video showcases the awe-inspiring revelations brought to us by the Webb Telescope. Prepare to be captivated by the wonders of the early universe and the incredible advancements in astronomical research. Video Producer: Andre Valentine Video Editor: Andre Valentine Narrator: Andre Valentine Music: Universal Production Music Credit: NASA

The approximately 10-day Artemis II flight test will launch on the agency’s powerful Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, prove the Orion spacecraft’s life-support systems, and validate the capabilities and techniques needed for humans to live and work in deep space. The astronauts will launch from NASA Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Pad 39B atop the SLS rocket as it generates 8.8 million pounds of thrust, beginning their 600,000 mile journey. Once out of our atmosphere, these star sailors will conduct a targeting demonstration and check the Orion spacecraft’s systems near Earth before they head around the Moon and back to Earth, reentering our atmosphere at 30 times the speed of sound, before gently splashing down in the Pacific Ocean. Artemis II's crew is comprised of NASA astronauts commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, mission specialist Christina Koch; and Canadian Space Agency astronaut and mission specialist Jeremy Hansen. All about the mission: https://nasa.gov/specials/artemis-ii Producer: Sami Aziz Editor: Matt Murray Credit: NASA #Astronauts #NASA #Artemis

While Apollo placed the first steps on the Moon, Artemis opens the door for humanity to sustainably work and live on another world for the first time. Using the lunar surface as a proving ground for living on Mars, this next chapter in exploration will forever establish our presence in the stars. ✨ We are returning to the Moon – to stay – and this is how we are going! Actress Kelly Marie Tran of “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” lent her voice to this project.

This captivating animation offers a virtual flight into and out of Jupiter's upper atmosphere, focusing on the iconic Great Red Spot. Combining an actual image from NASA's JunoCam with computer-generated animation, the journey begins over 2,000 miles above Jupiter's southern hemisphere. As we dive rapidly downward, altitude is tracked by the left bar, while the adjacent gauge illustrates the sharp temperature rise. The spectacle unfolds as clouds transform to a rich crimson upon entering the Great Red Spot. Eventually, the perspective gracefully ascends out of this mesmerizing storm.

Embark on a captivating journey to explore the enigmatic world of Psyche, a metallic asteroid that promises to unveil the secrets of planet formation. Set against the backdrop of this artist's rendition, the NASA Psyche mission, set to launch in 2023, takes us on a cosmic adventure. Psyche, an asteroid nestled between Mars and Jupiter, beckons us to unravel its mysteries. Watch as the spacecraft Psyche embarks on a 2026 rendezvous with this celestial body, spending 21 months meticulously mapping and studying its unique properties. Led by Principal Investigator Lindy Elkins-Tanton of Arizona State University, and with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory at the helm, this mission promises groundbreaking insights into the universe's building blocks. Stay tuned to witness the unveiling of a metallic marvel! 🌌🛰️ #NASAPsycheMission #MetallicAsteroid #CosmicExploration

Embark on a captivating journey deep into the heart of NASA's Psyche mission, where we delve into the fascinating world of collisions and crater formation. This groundbreaking mission aims to unlock the secrets of our solar system's history by studying the asteroid Psyche, believed to be a remnant of a long-lost planetesimal core. Join us as we explore the intricate processes behind crater creation and planetary evolution, shedding light on the mysteries of celestial impacts. With cutting-edge technology and scientific curiosity driving the way, Psyche is poised to revolutionize our understanding of space history. Discover the incredible insights that await in this remarkable mission that takes us billions of years back in time. 🌌🚀 #NASAPsycheMission #CelestialCollisions #SpaceExploration"

Experience the historic launch of NASA's first-ever DART mission, a groundbreaking endeavor to protect our planet by altering the course of asteroids in space. Witness the science, innovation, and collaboration behind this monumental step towards safeguarding Earth from potential impacts. #NASADART #AsteroidDefense #SpaceInnovation

Immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of our planet as seen from the depths of space. 🌍✨ Join us on a cosmic journey that reveals Earth's awe-inspiring landscapes and intricate details from an entirely new perspective. Witness the boundless beauty of our world, captured from the vantage point of orbiting spacecraft. From lush forests to sprawling oceans, this mesmerizing footage offers a glimpse into the extraordinary tapestry of life on Earth. Prepare to be amazed by the celestial wonders that unfold before your eyes. 🚀🌌 #Earthfromspace #SpaceviewofEarth #UniverseRevealed #MindblowingViews #ExploreTheCosmos"

All about Artemis I: https://www.nasa.gov/specials/artemis-i/ Writer: Danielle Sempsrott Editor: Francisco Martin Producers: John Sackman, Michael Justice & Madison Tuttle Music courtesy of Gothic Storm Music All about Artemis I: https://www.nasa.gov/specials/artemis-i/ Credit: NASA #NASA #Space Exploration #SpaceMission #Astronomy #MarsRover #SpaceTech #RocketLaunch #ISS #Hubble Telescope #SpaceScience #Astrophysics #Spacewalk #Satellite #SpaceNews #Galaxy #BlackHole #Space Probe #Orion Nebula #SpaceShuttle #Cosmos

Mission Trailer Revised Join the journey as NASA’s Psyche mission team launches in 2023 to explore a unique metallic asteroid orbiting the sun between Mars and Jupiter. The asteroid, likely made largely of nickel-iron metal mixed with rock, could contain metal from the core of a planetesimal (the building block of an early rocky planet) and may offer a unique window into the violent history of collisions and accretion that created the terrestrial planets like Earth. Arizona State University leads the Psyche mission. JPL, which is managed by Caltech for NASA, is responsible for the mission’s overall management, system engineering, integration and test, and mission operations. Maxar Technologies in Palo Alto, California, provided the high-power solar electric propulsion spacecraft chassis. For more info about NASA's #MissionToPsyche, go to: http://www.nasa.gov/psyche and https://psyche.asu.edu/ Center:JPL

Are you interested in advancing the future of NASA's space communications and navigation? Join the SCAN Internship Project. Apply today by searching for the keyword 'SCaN' at https://intern.nasa.gov CREDITS: Producer/Editor: David Ryan Writers: Mariah Pulver Katherine Schauer Videographers: Kasey Dillahay Emma Friedman David Ryan Voiceover: Ricky Chang Coordinators: Jimmy Acevedo Korine Powers