Planetary Picture of the Day - Week of October 4, 2021

We journey from Mount Fuji as seen from orbit to the bubbling surface of Betelgeuse, exploring the forces that shape planets, moons, and stars across the cosmos. Along the way, JWST reveals the remains of a dying star, Curiosity uncovers clues to Mars’ volcanic past, and a fresh rocket impact on the Moon gives scientists a new opportunity to study how collisions reshape its surface.

Let's celebrate the August 12 total solar eclipse through the eyes of photographers who experienced the Moon’s shadow sweeping across Spain. From Baily’s Beads and a glowing solar prominence to totality reflected in a river and framed by fields of sunflowers, these images capture both the science and extraordinary beauty of one of nature’s most spectacular celestial events.

The universe is shaped by forces both immense and intricate, from fractured terrain on Mars and shifting tidal landscapes on Earth to tiny vortices dancing across the surface of the Sun. Farther afield, dramatic views of Pluto’s icy mountains and hazy atmosphere and a treasure chest of newborn stars in the Carina Nebula showcase the remarkable detail revealed by spacecraft and telescopes exploring the cosmos.

This week, we reveal hidden wonders across the cosmos, from delicate Martian clouds and a dust-shrouded galaxy to an asteroid with a never-before-seen shape and the crowded heart of the Milky Way. Together, these images showcase how new missions and advanced observatories continue to uncover surprising details about our solar system, our galaxy, and the universe beyond.

These images span the journey from our own backyard to distant galaxies, featuring Mars, the Moon, breathtaking night skies, and a fresh view of the star-forming galaxy Messier 94. Along the way, we celebrate exploration and discovery—from NASA’s Psyche mission preparing for its asteroid encounter to the revelation of a previously unknown impact crater on Earth —reminding us that there are still new wonders to uncover both on our own planet and across the cosmos.

This week, we celebrate fifty years since Viking 1 became the first spacecraft to successfully land on and photograph the surface of Mars, alongside stunning new views of worlds, stars, and galaxies that continue to expand our understanding of the universe. From sculpted Sahara sand dunes and Jupiter’s colorful cloud bands to a newly discovered exoplanet and the first stellar-mass black hole identified in Omega Centauri, these images showcase the remarkable diversity of cosmic exploration.