Advancing Earth System Science to meet the challenges of climate and environmental change. | Earth: Swirls along an Ice Highway ▲ Sea water off the east coast of Greenland looked a bit like marbled paper in October 2012. » More info on this image |
Seeking to understanding the Sun and its interactions with the Earth and solar system. | Sun: Magnetic Arcs ▲ An M5 flare (medium-size) associated with a coronal mass ejection generated a fairly robust radiation storm (May 22-23, 2013). The outburst originated from active region right near the right edge of the Sun. After the eruption, cascades of magnetic loops spun up above the area as the magnetic fields tried to reorganize themselves. When viewed in profile, they put on a marvelous display of solar activity. The images are a combination of two wavelengths of extreme ultraviolet light (at 171 and 304 Angstroms). Credit: NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory. » More info on this image |
Ascertaining the content, origin and evolution of the solar system and the potential for life elsewhere. | Saturn: The Face of Beauty ▲ The gas planet's subtle northward gradation from gold to azure is a striking visual effect that scientists don't fully understand. » More info on this image |
Discovering how the universe works, exploring how the universe began and evolved, and searching for Earth-sized planets. | Nebula: Hubble Looks at the Monkey Head Nebula (NGC 2174) This colorful Hubble mosaic of a small portion of the Monkey Head Nebula unveils a collection of carved knots of gas and dust silhouetted against glowing gas. » More info on this image |
James Webb Space Telescope: A large space telescope, optimized for infrared wavelengths. | Primary Mirrors: First six of 18 ▲ The first six flight ready primary mirror segments are prepped to begin final cryogenic testing at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center. » More info on this image |
The Joint Agency Satellite Division (JASD) is an organization within NASA’s Science Mission Directorate with broad cross-cutting responsibilities. In partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), JASD manages the development and launch of reimbursable satellite programs, projects, and instruments. | |
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OSIRIS-REx
OSIRIS-REx will travel to a near-Earth asteroid called Bennu and bring a small sample back to Earth for study. The mission is scheduled to launch Sept. 8, 2016. As planned, the spacecraft will reach its asteroid target in 2018 and return a sample to Earth in 2023. Learn more here.
Latest ScienceCast
Researchers using NASA's Kepler space telescope have found evidence of strong magnetic fields in the cores of stars.
Watch our latest ScienceCast: Strong Magnetic Fields Found Inside Stars