Behold the 10 Most Stunning Space Images of 2025
From an interstellar comet to breathtaking auroras and from brand-new rockets to iconic space telescopes, here are some of our favorite images from the cosmos in 2025
By Meghan Bartels edited by Andrea Thompson
With 2025 nearly in the books, let’s revisit some of the highlights of the year in space, from astronomy to spaceflight.
An Unprecedented Observatory
Astronomers entered a mind-blowing new era this year with the first light of the Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile. The observatory was designed to scan the sky in incredible detail. The first major task of its scientific career will be to conduct a 10-year Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) project—creating a jaw-droppingly detailed movie of the cosmos around us that researchers hope could help them understand the solar system, the Milky Way and the universe’s mysterious dark matter and dark energy.
During a first-light event in June, scientists revealed the product of just 10 hours of observations—images that seem to zoom forever, a treasure trove of galaxies and colorful clouds of gas and dust splashed across the sky.
Stellar Shells
This stunning image comes from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope and shows delicately nested spirals of material thrown out over some 700 years by a celestial system called Apep. Apep includes two so-called Wolf-Rayet stars, which are bright, massive stars that eject huge amounts of material for a few million years before they collapse into a black hole or neutron star, depending on their size. Apep also includes a third star, a massive supergiant.
A New Rocket Takes Flight
In January Blue Origin’s brand-new, reusable heavy-lift vehicle New Glenn made its inaugural flight, marking the company’s first trip to orbit against a backdrop of short, regular suborbital jaunts. During that first flight, the rocket’s booster missed the key goal of landing on a barge in the Atlantic Ocean for future reuse. But in November New Glenn nailed that maneuver as well.
Auroras Paint the Skies
The sun is officially out of its period of maximum solar activity, but that doesn’t mean it’s quiet. In November a flurry of solar outbursts stunned sky watchers as far south as Mexico and Florida with jaw-dropping auroras.
There’s still a chance that the sun will produce more fireworks as its magnetic activity quiets down as it approaches the so-called solar minimum in 2030 or 2031. But November’s celestial spectacle may be the last good display until the sun’s next period of high activity.
A Cosmic Chameleon
(Source: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/behold-the-10-most-stunning-space-images-of-2025/) Martin/NSF NOIRLab recently released stunning images of celestial objects captured using advanced image processing techniques. One of the images showcases the dark molecular cloud Chamaeleon I, which is the closest star-forming region to Earth and is part of the larger Chamaeleon Complex. This image was taken using the Dark Energy Camera mounted at the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory in Chile.
Another set of images reveals baby solar systems captured by the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope. These images show debris disks that resemble our own solar system, complete with belts of giant planets, asteroids, and comets.
In addition, breathtaking images of Earth were captured by the NASA spacecraft Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification and Security–Apophis Explorer (OSIRIS-APEX). These images provide a unique perspective on our planet and were taken while the spacecraft was 2,136 miles away from Earth.
The iconic Hubble Space Telescope also celebrated its 35th birthday this year with an image of the galaxy LEDA 1313424, nicknamed the “Bullseye” due to its eight nested rings. These rings were formed when a small blue dwarf galaxy passed through the heart of the galaxy around 50 million years ago.
One of the most exciting discoveries of the year was the third known interstellar object, Comet 3I/ATLAS. This comet was observed by the Hubble Space Telescope and other spacecraft as it zipped through our solar system at incredible speeds, indicating its interstellar origin.
Lastly, astronauts aboard the International Space Station captured a mesmerizing image of the moon above the clouds with dramatic shadows from a sunset. This image showcases the moon’s light refracted by Earth’s atmosphere, giving it a unique spheroid appearance.
Overall, these images highlight the beauty and complexity of our universe, showcasing the incredible advancements in image processing technology that allow us to explore and understand the cosmos like never before. The moon’s apparently squished appearance is an illusion caused by Earth’s atmosphere refracting our natural satellite’s light.
Have you ever looked up at the moon and noticed that it appears to be squished or distorted? This phenomenon is actually just an optical illusion caused by the Earth’s atmosphere. When we look at the moon from the surface of our planet, the light from the moon passes through the Earth’s atmosphere before reaching our eyes. This atmospheric layer acts like a lens, bending the light and creating the illusion of a squished moon.
This distortion is most noticeable when the moon is near the horizon, as the light has to pass through a greater thickness of atmosphere at this angle. As the moon rises higher in the sky, the effect diminishes and the moon appears more circular.
Despite its squished appearance, the moon is actually a perfectly round sphere. Its shape is determined by its own gravity and the forces acting upon it in space. The Earth’s atmosphere simply distorts the light coming from the moon, giving it a flattened appearance when viewed from our vantage point.
So next time you see the moon looking a little squished, remember that it’s just an illusion caused by the Earth’s atmosphere. The moon remains a beautiful and perfectly round celestial body, unaffected by the tricks of light and optics that we perceive from down here on Earth. The Great Barrier Reef is one of the most iconic natural wonders in the world. Stretching over 2,300 kilometers along the coast of Queensland, Australia, this magnificent coral reef system is home to a diverse range of marine life and is a popular destination for tourists and conservationists alike.
The Great Barrier Reef is made up of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands, and is the largest coral reef system in the world. It is home to around 1,500 species of fish, 400 species of coral, and countless other marine creatures such as sea turtles, dolphins, and sharks. The reef is also an important breeding ground for many species of marine life, making it a vital part of the ecosystem.
Unfortunately, the Great Barrier Reef is facing a number of threats, including climate change, pollution, and overfishing. Rising sea temperatures due to climate change have caused widespread coral bleaching events, where the coral expels the algae living in its tissues, turning it white and making it more susceptible to disease. Pollution from agricultural runoff and coastal development has also had a negative impact on the reef, as has overfishing, which has disrupted the delicate balance of the ecosystem.
Efforts are being made to protect and conserve the Great Barrier Reef, including the implementation of marine protected areas, the reduction of carbon emissions, and the promotion of sustainable tourism practices. The Australian government has also invested in research and monitoring programs to better understand the reef’s ecosystem and how it can be best protected.
Despite these challenges, the Great Barrier Reef remains a truly spectacular natural wonder that continues to inspire awe and wonder in all who visit it. Its vibrant coral gardens, crystal-clear waters, and abundant marine life make it a must-see destination for anyone interested in the natural world. With continued conservation efforts and global cooperation, it is hoped that this incredible reef system will be preserved for future generations to enjoy. The world is constantly changing, and with that change comes new challenges and opportunities. In today’s fast-paced society, it can be difficult to keep up with all the latest trends and developments. However, one thing that remains constant is the need for quality information and analysis.
With the rise of technology and the internet, there has been an explosion of information available at our fingertips. This has made it easier than ever to access news and analysis from around the world. However, not all information is created equal, and it is important to be able to discern what is reliable and what is not.
One way to do this is by seeking out reputable sources of news and analysis. This could include traditional media outlets such as newspapers and television news programs, as well as online sources like blogs and social media. By consulting a variety of sources, you can get a more well-rounded view of current events and trends.
It is also important to be critical of the information you consume. Just because something is widely reported does not necessarily mean it is true. It is always a good idea to fact-check information before accepting it as fact. This can be done by consulting multiple sources and looking for corroborating evidence.
In addition to seeking out quality information, it is also important to stay informed about a wide range of topics. This could include politics, economics, science, and culture. By broadening your knowledge base, you can gain a deeper understanding of the world around you and make more informed decisions.
Finally, it is important to engage with the information you consume. This could involve discussing current events with friends and family, participating in online forums and discussions, or even writing your own analysis of a particular topic. By actively engaging with the information you consume, you can deepen your understanding and contribute to the larger discourse.
In conclusion, staying informed in today’s fast-paced world can be challenging, but it is also more important than ever. By seeking out quality information, being critical of what you consume, staying informed about a wide range of topics, and actively engaging with the information you consume, you can become a more informed and engaged citizen. There has been a recent surge in interest in sustainable living, with more and more people looking for ways to reduce their impact on the environment. One aspect of sustainable living that has gained traction in recent years is zero waste living. Zero waste living is a lifestyle choice that focuses on reducing the amount of waste one produces, with the ultimate goal of sending nothing to landfill.
There are many ways to embrace a zero waste lifestyle, from reducing single-use plastics to composting food scraps. One of the key principles of zero waste living is to refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle, and rot. This means refusing single-use items whenever possible, reducing the amount of waste you produce by opting for reusable items, reusing items whenever possible, recycling materials that can be recycled, and composting organic waste.
One of the biggest challenges of zero waste living is changing ingrained habits and behaviors. It can be difficult to break away from the convenience of single-use items and embrace more sustainable alternatives. However, with dedication and determination, it is possible to make the switch to a zero waste lifestyle.
Some tips for transitioning to a zero waste lifestyle include carrying a reusable water bottle, coffee cup, and shopping bag with you at all times, buying in bulk to reduce packaging waste, and shopping at farmers markets and bulk stores to reduce plastic packaging. Additionally, making your own cleaning products and personal care items can help reduce waste and eliminate harmful chemicals from your home.
By embracing a zero waste lifestyle, individuals can reduce their impact on the environment and contribute to a more sustainable future. While it may take time and effort to adjust to a zero waste lifestyle, the benefits are well worth it. Not only will you be reducing your carbon footprint and helping to protect the planet, but you will also be creating a healthier and more sustainable home for yourself and your family.
