Live Space Data
Explore the Cosmos
Through NASA Data
Real-time ISS tracking, Mars rover imagery, asteroid monitoring, and the universe's most stunning photographs -- all powered by NASA open data APIs.
Asteroids Today
17
ISS Location
1.8°, 79.9°
Mars Sol (Curiosity)
4400+
Live
ISS Position: 1.82, 79.93 | Altitude: ~408 kmLiveClosest asteroid today: 2026 FG6 at 702,873 km17 near-Earth asteroids tracked today18 solar flares detected in the past 30 daysToday's APOD: "A Message from Earth"2 Mars rovers actively exploring the Red PlanetISS Position: 1.82, 79.93 | Altitude: ~408 kmLiveClosest asteroid today: 2026 FG6 at 702,873 km17 near-Earth asteroids tracked today18 solar flares detected in the past 30 daysToday's APOD: "A Message from Earth"2 Mars rovers actively exploring the Red Planet
Your Free Online Space Observatory
Cosmos Observatory is a comprehensive, free platform for exploring the universe using real NASA data and open-source space APIs. Whether you are a seasoned astronomer, a student learning about the cosmos, or simply someone who gazes at the night sky in wonder, our tools bring the latest discoveries from space agencies directly to your screen. From the breathtaking daily photographs featured in NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD) to live telemetry from the International Space Station orbiting 408 kilometers above Earth, every piece of data here is sourced from official scientific instruments and missions.
Our platform aggregates data from multiple NASA APIs including the Near Earth Object Web Service for asteroid tracking, the Mars Rover Photos API for images captured on the Martian surface by Curiosity and Perseverance, the DONKI API for solar weather monitoring, and the NASA Image and Video Library for searching over 140,000 publicly available space images in our gallery. We also feature an interactive solar system explorer, a comprehensive exoplanet database with over 5,700 confirmed worlds, rocket launch schedules, Earth observation imagery from the EPIC camera aboard the DSCOVR satellite, and an educational glossary of astronomy terms. All data refreshes automatically so you always have access to the most current information available.
Explore
Your Gateway to Space
Dive into live data from NASA missions, track near-Earth objects, and explore the wonders of our universe.
Active
Mars Rovers
Browse thousands of photos from Curiosity and Perseverance on the Martian surface. Explore the Red Planet through NASA rover cameras.
Explore
Near-Earth Asteroids
17
Closest: 2026 FG6
View details
Live
ISS Tracker
Currently at 1.8, 79.9 traveling at ~27,600 km/h. Track the station live on our interactive map.
Explore
Solar Flares (30d)
18
Detected solar events
View details
Astronomy Picture of the Day
A Message from Earth
March 29, 2026
What are these Earthlings trying to tell us? The featured message was broadcast from Earth towards the globular star cluster M13 in 1974. During the dedication of an upgrade to the Arecibo Observatory - then the largest single radio telescope in the world - a string of 1's and 0's representing the diagram was sent. This attempt at extraterrestrial communication was mostly ceremonial - humanity regularly broadcasts radio and television signals out into space accidentally. Even were this message received, M13 is so far away we would have to wait almost 50,000 years to hear an answer. The featured message gives a few simple facts about humanity and its knowledge: from left to right are numbers from one to ten, atoms including hydrogen and carbon, some interesting molecules, DNA, a human with description, basics of our Solar System, and basics of the sending telescope. Several searches for extraterrestrial intelligence are currently underway. Explore the Universe: Random APOD Generator
View Full APODResources
Space Knowledge Hub
Deepen your understanding of the cosmos with our curated educational resources, interactive astronomy tools, and comprehensive space encyclopedias.
Space & Astronomy Glossary
From accretion disks to zenith, explore hundreds of space science terms explained in plain language. Perfect for students, educators, and curious minds navigating the language of the cosmos.
Browse termsInteractive Space Tools
Calculate interplanetary distances, convert astronomical units, and discover what's visible in the night sky tonight. Free tools built for amateur astronomers and space enthusiasts.
Explore toolsAbout Cosmos Observatory
Learn how we bring real-time NASA data to your screen. Discover our mission to make space exploration accessible through open data, interactive visualizations, and community-driven science education.
Our missionBy the Numbers
The Scale of Discovery
Humanity's ever-growing catalogue of cosmic observations, from our neighboring asteroids to distant exoplanets.
0+APOD Images Published
0+Known Near-Earth Asteroids
0+Confirmed Exoplanets
0+Mars Sols Explored
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Learn more about Cosmos Observatory, our data sources, and how to explore the universe.
What is APOD (Astronomy Picture of the Day)?
APOD stands for Astronomy Picture of the Day, a NASA program that has published one unique astronomy image or photograph every day since June 16, 1995. Each image is accompanied by a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer. APOD has become one of the most popular science websites, with millions of monthly visitors exploring galaxies, nebulae, planets, and other cosmic phenomena.
How can I track near-Earth asteroids in real time?
Cosmos Observatory provides a live asteroid tracker powered by NASA's NeoWs (Near Earth Object Web Service) API. You can monitor asteroids making close approaches to Earth, view their estimated diameters, velocities, miss distances, and whether they are classified as potentially hazardous. Our tracker updates every 15 minutes with the latest data from NASA's Center for Near Earth Object Studies (CNEOS).
What is the International Space Station (ISS) and how do I track it?
The International Space Station is a modular space station in low Earth orbit, orbiting at approximately 408 km altitude and traveling at roughly 27,600 km/h. It completes one orbit every 90 minutes. Our ISS Tracker page shows the station's real-time position on an interactive map, displays current crew members, and provides orbital data including latitude, longitude, and altitude updated every few seconds.
How many exoplanets have been discovered so far?
As of 2025, NASA has confirmed over 5,700 exoplanets -- planets orbiting stars outside our solar system. These discoveries come from missions like Kepler, TESS, and ground-based observatories using techniques such as the transit method and radial velocity. Our Exoplanet Explorer lets you filter and explore these worlds by discovery method, size, temperature, orbital period, and habitable zone status.
Stay Connected to the Cosmos
Get weekly highlights: the best APOD picks, asteroid close approaches, mission updates, and space weather alerts delivered to your inbox.
No spam. Unsubscribe at any time. We respect your privacy.