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Space Probe Photos: NASA Pictures

Updated on June 3, 2013
My favourite image of the solar system: Saturn fully backlit by the Sun. You can even make out our own planet in this photo - a tiny white spec just outside the main rings at 10 o' clock on the photo - view fullsize to see it
My favourite image of the solar system: Saturn fully backlit by the Sun. You can even make out our own planet in this photo - a tiny white spec just outside the main rings at 10 o' clock on the photo - view fullsize to see it | Source

Images of the Solar System

We are living in an incredibly privileged age - the age of space exploration; the age of space photography. Every day seems to bring a new spectacular image from the Hubble Space Telescope, or from the Mars Rovers. But these images are merely the latest in a long line of photographs gleaned from missions to other planets: the missions of the Space Probes.

A space probe is a robotic, unmanned machine that has left Earth and is exploring space. We have sent probes to explore all of the planets of our solar system as well as countless moons, comets, asteroids and even the Sun.

This hub takes a look at the smallest fraction of the images gathered in over half a century of space exploration. They are in no particular order but look at images from all regions of the solar system.

STEREO B Captures a Lunar Transit

A great image of the two most recognisable bodies in our solar system: our Moon & the Sun. There is no 'eclipse' effect as STEREO was a million miles away from Earth, making the Moon appear smaller. STEREO are a pair of satellites surveying the Sun
A great image of the two most recognisable bodies in our solar system: our Moon & the Sun. There is no 'eclipse' effect as STEREO was a million miles away from Earth, making the Moon appear smaller. STEREO are a pair of satellites surveying the Sun | Source

Mariner 10 Photographs Mercury

24th March 1974 and Mariner 10 captures the first ever image of Mercury. You cna clearly see plenty of impact craters on the surface of the planet. Mercury experiences the greatest day-night temperature swings in the Solar System.
24th March 1974 and Mariner 10 captures the first ever image of Mercury. You cna clearly see plenty of impact craters on the surface of the planet. Mercury experiences the greatest day-night temperature swings in the Solar System. | Source

Galileo Space Probe Photographs Venus

More than 20 spacecraft have visited Venus. This is a fabulous image of our 'Evil Twin.' No surface features are visible through the thick, crushing atmosphere.
More than 20 spacecraft have visited Venus. This is a fabulous image of our 'Evil Twin.' No surface features are visible through the thick, crushing atmosphere. | Source

Victoria Crater on Mars, By Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter

An impact crater 800m in diameter near the equator of Mars taken by the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment on the Mars Orbiter. You can see the rover Opportunity labelled.
An impact crater 800m in diameter near the equator of Mars taken by the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment on the Mars Orbiter. You can see the rover Opportunity labelled. | Source

Galileo Probe Photographs Asteroid Gaspra

Gaspra, as seen by Galileo - the first time a spacecraft had made a close flyby of an asteroid.
Gaspra, as seen by Galileo - the first time a spacecraft had made a close flyby of an asteroid. | Source

Voyager Photographs Jupiter's Great Red Spot

A close up on the Great Red Spot. This massive storm is larger than the Earth and has been raging for 400 years. It is unclear what makes it red.
A close up on the Great Red Spot. This massive storm is larger than the Earth and has been raging for 400 years. It is unclear what makes it red. | Source

Cassini Captures Saturn Spectacularly

Click thumbnail to view full-size
A wonderful shot of Saturn taken by Cassini - I love the shadow cast onto the planet by its rings.Once again it is the play of light and shadow that makes this space probe photo so spectacular. The particles in the rings constantly smash into each other exposing new, fresh and shiny surfaces. This makes the rings look new and fresh.
A wonderful shot of Saturn taken by Cassini - I love the shadow cast onto the planet by its rings.
A wonderful shot of Saturn taken by Cassini - I love the shadow cast onto the planet by its rings. | Source
Once again it is the play of light and shadow that makes this space probe photo so spectacular. The particles in the rings constantly smash into each other exposing new, fresh and shiny surfaces. This makes the rings look new and fresh.
Once again it is the play of light and shadow that makes this space probe photo so spectacular. The particles in the rings constantly smash into each other exposing new, fresh and shiny surfaces. This makes the rings look new and fresh. | Source

Cassini Photographs Hyperion

The mottled, sponge-like surface of Hyperion snapped by the Cassini probe.
The mottled, sponge-like surface of Hyperion snapped by the Cassini probe. | Source

Voyager 2 Photographs Uranus

The last photograph taken by Voyager 2 as it departs Uranus on January 25th 1986. This was taken when Voyager 2 was 600,000 miles from Uranus
The last photograph taken by Voyager 2 as it departs Uranus on January 25th 1986. This was taken when Voyager 2 was 600,000 miles from Uranus | Source

Voyager 2 Photographs Neptune

Neptune's Great Dark Spot - a massive storm that spins anti-clockwise. You can see other features in the clouds of Neptune, suggesting some interesting weather on the planet
Neptune's Great Dark Spot - a massive storm that spins anti-clockwise. You can see other features in the clouds of Neptune, suggesting some interesting weather on the planet | Source

BONUS: Earthrise

Not strictly a probe, Apollo 8 was the first manned mission to the Moon. The astronauts snapped this iconic image of our fragile, blue ocean world
Not strictly a probe, Apollo 8 was the first manned mission to the Moon. The astronauts snapped this iconic image of our fragile, blue ocean world | Source

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