Astronomical Concepts

Illustrations depicting concepts of Earth and the solar system. Includes diagrams of planetary orbits, stellar processes, and eclipse phenomena.

Illustration depicting how the axial tilt of the Earth determines the seasons.

Degrees of tilt of the Earth's axis.

The final stages of the life of a massive star, which will go supernova

Degrees of tilt of the Earth's axis.

Solar system including the hypothetical 'ninth planet X', illustration.

3D Isometrische flache konzeptionelle Illustration der Sonnenfinsternis, Bildungs-Diagrammbr3D Isometrische flache konzeptionelle Illustration der Sonnenfinsternis, Bildungsdiagramm 3D Isometric Flat Conceptual Illustration of Solar Eclipse, Educational Diagram 3D Isometric Flat Conceptual Illustration of Solar Eclipse, Educational Diagram Copyright: xZoonar.com/AnastasiiaxTorianykx 22973322

Solar system.

This artist's concept shows NASA's Voyager 1 spacecraft in a new region at the edge of our solar system where there are fewer low energy particles that originate from inside our solar system.

Illustration depicting how the axial tilt of the Earth determines the seasons.

Solar system, computer artwork.

Illustration depicting the creation of carbon-14 and how it becomes locked in tree rings.

A hypothetical planet is depicted in this artist's concept moving through the habitable zone and then further out into a long, cold winter.

Artwork of the earth's core and magnetosphere.

Pioneer 10 artwork

Artist's illustration of the trajectory of asteroid 2017 YE5 through the solar system. At its closest approach to Earth, the asteroid came to within 16 times the distance between Earth and the moon. A movie is available at

Asteroid in space fly to earth Asteroids in space fly to earth. Space background. 3D rendering Copyright: xZoonar.com/RomanxBudnikovx 10051632

This graphic shows the planned trek of NASA's Dawn spacecraft from its launch in 2007 through its arrival at the dwarf planet Ceres in early 2015.

Titan Viewed by Cassini's Radar

This artist's concept shows an overhead view of the orbital position of the planets in systems with multiple transiting planets discovered by NASA's Kepler mission. All the colored planets have been verified.

This image depicts the MarCO CubeSats relaying data (blue) from NASA's InSight lander (green) as InSight enters the Martian atmosphere. Animation available at

The tides. Spring tide. When the Moon and Sun are aligned (full and new moon) the biggest differences between high and low tides occur.

This artist's depiction shows the close encounter between comet Siding Sprng and Mars in 2014. The comet's powerful magnetic field temporarily merged with, and overwhelmed, the planet's weak magnetic field.

From universe to planet Earth A representation of the vastness of our universe, moving down through our galaxy, solar system, and Earth. Copyright: xZoonar.com/AndreaxDantix 21477306

This diagram illustrates Mars' 'thermal tides,' a weather phenomenon responsible for large, daily variations in pressure at the Martian surface.

This artist's animation shows the route NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander took to get from Earth to Mars.

SOHO's orbit around the Lagrangian L1 point and the Sun

This artist's concept shows a possible scenario for the internal structure of Titan, as suggested by data from NASA's Cassini spacecraft. Scientists have been trying to determine what is under Titan's organic-rich atmosphere and icy crust.

Infographic about the composition, geography, orbit, rings and satellites of the planet Uranus. QuarkXPress (.qxp); Adobe InDesign (.indd); 6259x4015.

Using the unique orbit of NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope and a depth-perceiving trick called parallax, astronomers have determined the distance to an invisible Milky Way object called OGLE-2005-SMC-001.

This artist's concept illustrates two planetary systems -- 55 Cancri (top) and our own. Blue lines show the orbits of planets, including the dwarf planet Pluto in our solar system.

This animation shows the distance between the Apophis asteroid and Earth at the time of the asteroid's closest approach. The blue dots are the many man-made satellites that orbit our planet, and the pink represents the International Space Station. Movie available at

Moon phases, illustration

Heliocentric theory. Copernicus.

This image shows the first-ever map of the surface of an exoplanet, or a planet beyond our solar system. Showing temperature variations across the cloudy tops of a gas giant called HD 189733b, the infrared data is taken by NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope.

Results from NASA's NEOWISE survey find that more potentially hazardous asteroids, or PHAs, are closely aligned with the plane of our solar system than previous models suggested.

Infographic about general relativity, theory of the gravitational field that generalizes the Special Theory of Relativity. Adobe Illustrator (.ai); 6259x4015.

This movie from NASAs STEREO spacecraft's Heliospheric Imager shows Comet ISON, Mercury, Comet Encke and Earth over a five-day period from Nov. 20 to Nov. 25, 2013. The sun sits right of the field of view of this camera. Comet ISON, which will round the sun on Nov. 28, is what's known as a sungrazing comet, due to its close approach. Foreshortening or the angle at which these images were obtained make Earth appear as if it is closer to the sun than Mercury. If you look closely you will also see a dimmer and smaller comet Encke near comet ISON. A comets journey through the solar system is perilous and violent. A giant ejection of solar material from the sun could rip its tail off. Before it reaches Mars -- at some 230 million miles away from the sun -- the radiation of the sun begins to boil its water, the first step toward breaking apart. And, if it survives all this, the intense radiation and pressure as it flies near the surface of the sun could destroy it altogether. Even if the c

In this diagram, the Vega system, which was already known to have a cooler outer belt of comets (orange), is compared to our solar system with its asteroid and Kuiper belts. The ring of warm, rocky debris was detected using NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope,

Digital Illustration of the Size and Orbit of the Newly Discovered Tenth Planet of Our Solar System

Artwork Pioneer C launch data positions of Pioneer C, 6 & 7

3D Isometrische flache Illustration der geozentrischen und heliozentrischen Erdumlaufbahn, Astronomische ModellebrIsometrische 3D-Flachdarstellung der geozentrischen und heliozentrischen Erdumlaufbahn, Astronomische Modelle 3D Isometric Flat Illustration of Geocentric And Heliocentric Earth Orbit, Astronomical Models 3D Isometric Flat Illustration of Geocentric And Heliocentric Earth Orbit, Astronomical Models Copyright: xZoonar.com/AnastasiiaxTorianykx 22791090

NASA's New Horizons spacecraft mapped compositions across Pluto's surface as it flew past the planet on July 14, 2015.

Isometric 3D flat display of the T-cell-dependent B-cell activation, adaptive immune system brisometric 3D flat display of the T-cell-dependent B-cell activation, adaptive immune system Isometric 3D flat display of the T-cell-dependent B-cell activation, adaptive immune system brisometric 3D flat display of the T-cell-dependent B-cell activation, adaptive immune system

Infographic about planet Neptune, its characteristics, composition, orbit, rings and moons. QuarkXPress (.qxp); Adobe InDesign (.indd); 4960x3188.

This graphic shows the internal structure of Jupiter's moon Io as revealed by data from NASA's Galileo spacecraft. Io is bathed in magnetic field lines (shown in blue) that connect the north polar region of Jupiter to the planet's south polar region.

Magnetic Anomalies on Mars

Infographic about planet Venus, its atmosphere, composition, orbit, rotation, and the space missions that have explored it. QuarkXPress (.qxp); Adobe InDesign (.indd); 4960x3188.

Atmosphere on Enceladus (Artist Concept)

Destortion of space-time by the gravitation of the sun

Giant impact formation of the Moon, illustration

Timeline of the Universe

This is an artist's concept comparing the present day magnetic fields on Earth and Mars. Earth's magnetic field is generated by an active dynamo -- a hot core of molten metal.

Infographic on the forces of the Universe: gravity, electromagnetic force, strong nuclear force and weak nuclear interaction. These are the four fundamental forces that inhabit the space. Adobe InDesign (.indd); 4795x3543.

Earth´s internal structure, computer artwork.

Gezeiten Meerwasser Tides are the rise and fall of sea levels caused by the combined effects of the gravitational forces exerted by the Moon and the Sun and the rotation of the Earth Copyright: xZoonar.com/PattarawitxChompipatx 11543422

3D-Darstellung eines Querschnitts und des Aufbaus der Erde vom Erdkern bis zur Atmosphäre mit Beschreibungen 3d illustration of a cross-section and the structure of the earth from the earth core to the atmosphere with descriptions Copyright: xZoonar.com/ChristophxBurgstedtx 22602817

Silver Earth, computer artwork.

Global networks

Structure of the planet Uranus.

This graphic depicts the relative shapes and distances from Mars for five active orbiter missions plus the planet's two natural satellites. It illustrates the potential for intersections of the spacecraft orbits.

3 superimposed orbits of periodic comets on the orbits of the outer planets of the solar system.

The Sun compared to four typical large stars

Voyager 1 has entered interstellar space. NASA's spacecraft, which rose from Earth on a September morning 36 years ago, has traveled farther than anyone, or anything, in history.

Structure of the Human Eye and anatomy of vision 3d illustration. Structure of the Human Eye and anatomy of vision

Internal structure of the Earthwith English labels, 3D illustration

Digital Composing, attack on earth with corona viruses, symbolic image for worldwide corona pandemic, Sars-CoV-2, Covid-19, corona crisis, Germany, Europe

This illustration shows the events that occur in the final minutes of the nearly seven-month journey that NASA's Perseverance rover takes to Mars. Hundreds of critical events must execute perfectly and exactly on time for the rover to land on Mars safely on Feb. 18, 2021. A metric version of this illustration is also available (Figure 1). Entry, Descent, and Landing, or EDL, begins when the spacecraft reaches the top of the Martian atmosphere, traveling nearly 12,500 mph (20,000 kph). It ends about seven minutes later, with Perseverance stationary on the Martian surface. Perseverance handles everything on its own during this process. It takes more than 11 minutes to get a radio signal back from Mars, so by the time the mission team hears that the spacecraft has entered the atmosphere, in reality, the rover is already on the ground.

Structure of the Human Eye and anatomy of vision 3d illustration. Structure of the Human Eye and anatomy of vision

A diagram showing the eccentric orbit of Chiron

JSC2000E-01557 (January 2000) --- Thispartially computer-generated scene depicts anticipated coverage by the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM)of topographic features on Earth. Heavy cloud cover, hurricanes and cyclonic storms can prevent optical cameras on satellites or aircraft from imaging some areas. SRTM radar, with its long wavelength, will penetrate clouds as well as providing its own illumination, making it independent of daylight.

Earth's internal structure, illustration

Cutaway view of the possible internal structure of Europa. The surface of the satellite is a mosaic of images obtained in 1979 by NASA's Voyager spacecraft.

Infographic about translation and rotation movements of the Earth and its influence on the division of time and seasons. QuarkXPress (.qxp); 6259x4015.

This artist's concept shows NASA's Voyager 1 spacecraft in a new region at the edge of our solar system where the magnetic field lines generated by our sun are piling up and intensifying.

A diagram showing how a wormhole between two parts of our universe or two different universes works

In this artist's concept from 1970, propulsion concepts such as the Nuclear Shuttle and Space Tug are shown in conjunction with other proposed spacecraft. As a result of the recommendations from President Nixon's Space Task Group for more commonality and integration in the American space program, Marshall Space Flight engineers studied many of the spacecraft depicted here.

This compilation shows the constellation Hercules, as imaged on May 21 and 22, 2003, by NASA's Galaxy Evolution Explorer. The images were captured by the two channels of the spacecraft camera during the mission's 'first light' milestone.

NASA's NuSTAR has taken its first snapshots of the highest energy X-rays in the cosmos, the same kind used by doctors to take pictures of your bones. NuSTAR chose a black hole in the constellation Cygnus as its first target due to its brightness.

A timeline of Earth's history

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All satellites orbiting the Earth, illustration

NASA Ames Tweetup and tour of center by invitation of the NASA Ames Public Affairs Office. Tweeter guests during the morning session at the visitor's center with Natalie Batalha, Kepler Scientist from San Jose State University giving overview of mission to locate distant earth like planets with the Kepler Space Telescope.

Graphic Art Venus - Day - Night drawing showing solar wind, bow shock, magnetosheath, clouds and streamers Pioneer Venus SP-461 fig 6-28 Interaction of the solar wind with the atmosphere of Venus as termined from Pioner Venus experiments and observations

Eclipse Chart

Diagram showing interior of Mars

This depiction of a simulated Mercury magnetosphere shows representations of the distortions of the planetary magnetic field lines (blue) by the solar wind.

Habitable zone around a star, illustration

The Sun compared to four typical small stars

Infographic on exploration mission of Saturn by Cassini, the mother ship, and Huygens, a smaller probe. Adobe InDesign (.indd); 4795x3543.

Cross section of volcano isometric diagram with indicating of magma chamber gases cone vent crater lava bomb ash vector illustration. Volcano Structure Diagram

This 1970 artist's concept illustrates the use of the Space Shuttle, Nuclear Shuttle, and Space Tug in NASA's Integrated Program. As a result of the Space Task Group's recommendations for more commonality and integration in the American space program, Marshall Space Flight Center engineers studied many of the spacecraft depicted here.

Infographic on galaxies and stars. Adobe InDesign (.indd); 7086x9637.

Lunar Orbiter's "Typical Flight sequence of Events" turned out to be quite typical indeed, as all five spacecraft performed exactly as planned. -- Published in James R. Hansen, Spaceflight Revolution: NASA Langley Research Center From Sputnik to Apollo, (Washington: NASA, 1995), p. 340.

Infographic on astronomical phenomena known as eclipses. Adobe InDesign (.indd); 4960x3307.

Didactic illustration representing the atmospheric (air) movements caused mainly by the sun . The air masses move in the form of atmospheric convection cells.There are 3 in the northern hemisphere and 3 in the southern hemisphere.

Pioneer Venus Art Atmosphere Flow Day/Night Homopause, Ionosphere, Thermosphere, and Cryosphere

Isometric Observatory and planetarium building. Station for observing space, stars and planets of solar system. Space exploration. Realistic 3D vector

This diagram shows components of the investigations payload for NASA's Mars 2020 rover mission.

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