Gallery: The Year's Most Awesome Photos of Space

  • Image may contain Universe Space Astronomy Nebula Outer Space Nature and Outdoors
    Photos by NASA
    01

    eyenebula

    May 7, 2014: Giant Eye Nebula
  • Image may contain Ground Soil Nature Outdoors and Sand
    Photos by NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS
    02

    pia18390-full

    June 28, 2014: Curiosity Selfie at Windjana
  • Image may contain Universe Space Astronomy Outer Space and Nebula
    Photos by X-ray: NASA/CXC/Caltech/P.Ogle et al; Optical: NASA/STScI; IR: NASA/JPL-Caltech; Radio: NSF/NRAO/VLA
    03

    galacticfireworks

    July 4, 2014: Galactic Fireworks
  • November 13 2014 Welcome to a Comet
    ESA/Rosetta/Philae/CIVA
    04

    philae-landing-leg

    November 13, 2014: Welcome to a Comet!
  • Image may contain Human Person and Space Station
    <a href="http://www.nasa.gov/content/astronaut-reid-wiseman-on-the-first-spacewalk-of-expedition-41/#.VDVtVdTF_t5">NASA/ESA/Alexander Gerst</a>
    07

    15286181127-cedd65b90a-o

    October 8, 2014: Spacewalk
  • Image may contain Universe Space Astronomy Nebula Outer Space Animal Invertebrate and Insect
    <a href="https://public.nrao.edu/news/pressreleases/dust-grains-orion">S. Schnee, et al.; B. Saxton, B. Kent (NRAO/AUI/NSF)</a>
    08

    GMMRadio-CompWide-nrao

    August 27, 2014: The Orion Molecular Cloud Complex
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    Photos by NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute
    09

    saturnsmalestrom

    Jan. 11, 2014: Saturn's Polar Maelstrom
  • Image may contain Ground Universe Space Night Astronomy Moon Outdoors Nature Outer Space and Hole
    <a href="http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/multimedia/images/?ImageID=6616">NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS</a>
    10

    mars-curiosity-rover-drill-hole-mahli-sol759-pia18609-br2

    September 28, 2014: Curiosity Drills First Hole on Mount Sharp
  • Image may contain Astronomy Universe Space and Outer Space
    <a href="http://www.nasa.gov/content/holiday-lights-on-the-sun-imagery-of-a-solar-flare/#.VJ7iZsAg">NASA/SDO</a>
    11

    20141220-171.131blend

    December 27, 2014: Holiday Lights on the Sun
  • Image may contain Sphere
    Photos by NASA/JPL/Space Science Institute
    12

    Saturn-s-shadows

    June 30, 2014: Mimas and Rings
  • Image may contain Universe Space Astronomy Nebula and Outer Space
    Photos by Adam Block/Mount Lemmon SkyCenter/University of Arizona
    13

    m16-32s

    June 15, 2014: Soaring Eagle Nebula
  • Image may contain Universe Space Astronomy Nebula and Outer Space
    Photos by NASA/JPL-Caltech
    14

    WISE's large field of view and multi-wavelength infrared sight allowed it to form this complete view of the cluster, containing dozens of bright galaxies and hundreds of smaller ones. Old stars show up at the shorter infrared wavelengths, color coded blue

    May 24, 2014: Hidden Black Holes
  • Image may contain Universe Space Astronomy Nebula and Outer Space
    Photos by Copyright Terry Hancock
    17

    M42-Horsehead-Belt Mosaic Terry Hancock-press version

    Mar. 14, 2014: Orion Panorama
  • Image may contain Universe Space Astronomy Outer Space and Nebula
    <a href="http://chandra.harvard.edu/photo/2014/ngc2207/">X-ray: NASA/CXC/SAO/S.Mineo et al, Optical: NASA/STScI, Infrared: NASA/JPL-Caltech</a>
    18

    NGC 2207 and IC 2163 are two spiral galaxies in the process of merging.

    December 13, 2014: Double Galactic Light Show
  • Image may contain Nature Outdoors Universe Space Astronomy Outer Space Nebula and Night
    Photos by ESO/B. Tafreshi
    19

    The Milky Way glitters brightly over ALMA

    June 27, 2014: Glittering Milky Way
  • Image may contain Light Flare Fractal Pattern and Ornament
    Photos by NASA/Solar Dynamics Observatory
    20

    Tightloops-171-red

    June 10, 2014: Tight Solar Loops
  • Image may contain Universe Space Astronomy Outer Space and Nebula
    <a href="https://public.nrao.edu/radio-telescope-settle-controversy">NRAO/AURA/NSF</a>
    21

    NOAOPleaides-nrao

    August 28, 2014: Distance to the Pleaides Finally Resolved
  • Image may contain Nature Rock Outdoors Texture Sand and Soil
    Photos by NASA/JPL/University of Arizona
    22

    hirisedunes

    Feb. 8, 2014: Frosty Dunes on Mars
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    <a href=http://www.esa.int/spaceinimages/Images/2014/10/The_most_amazing_thing">ESA/NASA</a>
    23

    The-most-amazing-thing

    October 12, 2014: The Most Amazing Thing This Man Has Ever Done
  • Image may contain Universe Space Astronomy Outer Space Nebula Nature and Outdoors
    <a href="http://www.nasa.gov/wise/pia18848/#.VEmOFIvF-v0">X-ray: NASA/CXC/SAO; Infrared: NASA/JPL-Caltech</a>
    24

    Six images that combine Chandra data with those from other telescopes.

    October 26, 2014: Illusions in the Cosmic Clouds
  • Image may contain Universe Space Astronomy Night Moon Outdoors Outer Space Nature and Skin
    <a href="http://www.nasa.gov/jpl/europas-stunning-surface/#.VHA3P_TF-v1">NASA/JPL-Caltech/SETI Institute</a>
    25

    pia19048

    November 22, 2014: Europa Remastered
  • Image may contain Universe Space Astronomy Nebula Outer Space Flame Bonfire and Fire
    <a href="http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/spaceimages/details.php?id=PIA16884">NASA/CXC/JPL-Caltech/STScI </a>
    26

    PIA16884

    September 30, 2014: Awesome View of the Small Magellanic Cloud
  • Image may contain Nature Outdoors Mountain Astronomy Universe Space Outer Space and Rock
    <a href="http://www.esa.int/spaceinimages/Images/2014/09/Comet_on_24_September_NavCam">ESA/Rosetta/NAVCAM</a>
    27

    Comet-on-24-September-NavCam

    September 26, 2014: Beautiful New Comet Close-Up
  • Image may contain Universe Space Astronomy Nebula and Outer Space
    <a href="http://skycenter.arizona.edu/gallery/Nebulae/SH2-140">Adam Block/Mount Lemmon SkyCenter/University of Arizona</a>
    28

    sh2-140

    November 9, 2014: Dreamy Nebula
  • Image may contain Aluminium
    <a href="http://hirise.lpl.arizona.edu/ESP_028575_1890">NASA/JPL/University of Arizona</a>
    29

    ESP-028575-1890

    October 5, 2014: Migrating Martian Dunes
  • Image may contain Universe Space Astronomy Outer Space Sphere Outdoors and Nature
    <a href="http://www.nasa.gov/content/milky-way-viewed-from-the-international-space-station/#.VCx0OildXt4">NASA/Reid Wiseman</a>
    30

    iss041e045469

    October 4, 2014: Astronaut's Eye View of the Milky Way
  • Image may contain Astronomy Universe Space Outer Space Animal Shark Fish Sea Life and Planet
    <a href="http://www.nasa.gov/content/goddard/here-s-looking-at-you-spooky-shadow-gives-jupiter-a-giant-eye/#.VFE2h4vF-v1">NASA/ESA/A. Simon (Goddard Space Flight Center)</a>
    31

    mainimage-jupitereye-0

    October 28, 2014: Jupiter's Spooky Eye Is Watching You
  • Image may contain Universe Space Astronomy Outer Space and Nebula
    T.A. Rector/University of Alaska Anchorage, H. Schweiker/WIYN and NOAO/AURA/NSF
    32

    sh2-188-2500

    July 19, 2014: Fiery Planetary Nebula
  • Image may contain Ornament Food Pizza Accessories and Accessory
    NASA/CXC/SAO
    33

    NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory Celebrates 15th Anniversary

    July 22, 2014: Tycho in X-rays
  • Image may contain Nature Outdoors Universe Space Astronomy Outer Space Night and Moon
    <a href="http://www.nasa.gov/jpl/cassini/pia18283/#.VCNBVS5dWv1">NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute</a>
    34

    pia18283-full

    September 23, 2014: Triple Moon View
  • Image may contain Outdoors Nature Sand and Soil
    Photos by ESA/DLR/FU Berlin
    35

    Osuga-valles

    Apr. 13, 2014: Osuga Valles
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