This colorized image of Europa is a product of clear-filter grayscale data from one orbit of NASA’s Galileo spacecraft, combined with lower-resolution color data taken on a different orbit. The blue-white terrains indicate relatively pure water ice, whereas the reddish areas contain water ice mixed with hydrated salts, potentially magnesium sulfate or sulfuric acid. The […]
Author: Brian Evans
Source Region for Possible Europa Plumes
This reprojection of the official USGS Europa basemap is centered at the estimated source region for potential plumes that might have been detected using the Hubble Space Telescope. The view is centered at -65 degrees latitude, 183 degrees longitude. In addition to the plume source region, the image also shows the hemisphere of Europa that […]
3-D Cilix Crater on Europa
This view of Cilix impact crater on Europa was created in 2013 using 3-D stereo images taken by NASA’s Galileo spacecraft, combined with advanced image processing techniques. The crater has a diameter of about 11 miles (18 kilometers). This image, which combines a 3-D Digital Elevation Model, or DEM, with original imagery, shows that the […]
Cracks and Ridges on Europa
This enhanced color image shows cracks and ridges on Europa’s surface that reveal a detailed geologic history. Some ridges, such as the prominent one at top right, develop into long, arc-shaped “cycloids” that may be related to changing tidal forces as Europa orbits Jupiter. The wall of this ridge stands perhaps a third of a […]
NASA to Welcome Fourth Private Astronaut Mission to Space Station
As part of NASA’s efforts to expand access to space, four private astronauts are in orbit following the successful launch of the fourth all private astronaut mission to the International Space Station. A SpaceX Dragon spacecraft lifted off at 2:31 a.m. EDT Wednesday from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, carrying […]
NASA Sets Coverage for Axiom Mission 4 Launch, Arrival at Station
NASA, Axiom Space, and SpaceX are targeting 2:31 a.m. EDT, Wednesday, June 25, for launch of the fourth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, Axiom Mission 4. The mission will lift off from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The crew will travel to the orbiting laboratory on a […]
NASA Astronaut Zena Cardman
NASA astronaut Zena Cardman inspects her spacesuit’s wrist mirror in this portrait taken at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston on March 22, 2024. Cardman will launch to the International Space Station as part of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-11 mission. This will be her first spaceflight. Cardman was selected by NASA as a member of the […]
NICER Status Updates
August 5, 2025 Science Observations Remain Paused for NASA’s NICER Telescope Science operations by NASA’s NICER (Neutron star Interior Composition Explorer), an X-ray telescope on the International Space Station, remain paused as the team continues to evaluate the telescope’s systems after an issue developed with one of its motors. The motor is unable to move […]
Live or Fly a Plane in California? Help NASA Measure Ozone Pollution!
Ozone high in the stratosphere protects us from the Sun’s ultraviolet light. But ozone near the ground is a pollutant that harms people and plants. The San Joaquin Valley has some of the most polluted air in the country, and NASA scientists with the new Ozone Where We Live (OWWL) project are working to measure […]