This Week in Space

NASA, Swift, Univ. Leicester, DSS (STScI/AURUA),

Lulin as it was photographed by NASA's Swift satellite during the comet's closest ever approach to the Earth.

NASA/JPL-Caltech/2MASS/SSI/University of Wisconsin

NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope took an image of fog comprised of hydrogen and carbon compounds

The Orion Nebula

Stars are born in the Orion Nebula where young stars dip and peak in brightness.

Smoke over Moscow

Smoke plumes from burning peat fields and forest fires covered the area east of Moscow. The city is seen in the bottom left corner of the image

Bull's-Eye Impact Crater on Mars

Wild 2: If You Were There

NASA's Stardust spacecraft made a close flyby of comet Wild 2. In this artist's concept, a view of Wild 2 that shows the faint jets emanating from the comet.

Most Accurate Map of Mars to Date

Mars Odyssey spacecraft sent back images used to develop the most accurate global Martian map ever.

Sand Dunes on Saturn's Moon, Titan

Cassini radar sees sand dunes on Saturn's giant moon Titan (upper image) Comparison with sand dunes on earth (lower photo)

Hurricane Celia

Hurricane Celia was classified Celia as a Category 4 hurricane with sustained winds of 135 miles per hour.

Mirrors Tested for Deep Space

Beryllium mirrors get subjected to minus-415 degrees Fahrenheit temperatures Engineers are running the tests to see whether the mirrors will maintain their shape in a deep space environment.

Layered Deposits on Mars

Large slab of layered deposits in the Martian region called Aureum Chaos.

Impact Crater on Mars

Shot from NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, the floor of a large impact crater in the planet's southern highlands.

End of the Road for the Mars Rover?

Last year, Spirit became partially stuck in the loose sand seen around its left-front wheel in this image. Now officials say it will take a miracle to restore the rover limited operation.

A White House Welcome

Official White House Photo by Pete Souza

President Barack Obama greets the STS-132 Atlantis crew and International Space Station astronaut T.J. Creamer in the Oval Office, July 26, 2010. From left, STS-132 Commander Ken Ham; Expedition 22/23 Flight Engineer T.J. Creamer; STS-132 Mission Specialists Piers Sellers, Garret Reisman, and Steve Bowen; President Obama; STS-132 Mission Specialist Michael Good; and STS-132 Pilot Tony Antonelli

"Dust Devil" on Mars

NASA/JPL-Caltech/Cornell University/Texas A&M

This column of swirling dust, a "Dust Devil," was sent back by the Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity.