Astronomy Picture of the Day

A Message from Earth

March 29, 2026

About This Image

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

What Is the Astronomy Picture of the Day?

The Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD) is one of NASA's most beloved public outreach programs. Launched on June 16, 1995 by astronomers Robert Nemiroff and Jerry Bonnell at Michigan Technological University, APOD has published a unique astronomy-related image every single day for nearly three decades. The archive now contains over 11,000 entries, making it one of the most comprehensive visual records of astronomical discovery ever assembled.

Each APOD entry features an image or video -- ranging from deep-space photographs captured by the Hubble and James Webb Space Telescopes to ground-based astrophotography, planetary science imagery, and artistic visualizations -- accompanied by a brief, accessible explanation written by a professional astronomer. The program has been translated into more than 20 languages and consistently ranks among the most visited science websites worldwide, bringing the beauty of the cosmos to millions of viewers every day.

APOD images come from a variety of sources including NASA missions, ESA observatories, amateur astrophotographers, and research institutions. While many NASA-produced images are in the public domain, individual copyright varies by contributor. The program has played a significant role in science communication, inspiring countless students, educators, and members of the public to engage with astronomy and space science.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is APOD (Astronomy Picture of the Day)?

APOD stands for Astronomy Picture of the Day, a service provided by NASA and Michigan Technological University. Each day since June 16, 1995, a different image or photograph of our universe has been featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer. APOD has become one of the most popular astronomy websites in the world, with translations available in over 20 languages.

How often is APOD updated?

APOD is updated once every day, typically around midnight Eastern Time (US). A new image or video is selected and published with an accompanying explanation. On rare occasions, the update may be slightly delayed, but NASA has maintained the daily schedule almost without interruption since the program's launch on June 16, 1995.

Can I use APOD images for personal or educational purposes?

Most APOD images are in the public domain because they were created by NASA, which means they are generally free to use for educational and informational purposes. However, some images are copyrighted by the photographers or institutions that captured them -- check the copyright notice on each image. Always credit the source. For commercial use, contact the copyright holder directly.