Explore the sky

Follow three observations from the rings of Saturn to the arms of a distant galaxy.

Whirlpool GalaxySpiral galaxy · M51 Orion NebulaStellar nursery · M42 SaturnRinged planet · Solar System

The blue and rose spiral arms of the Whirlpool Galaxy beside its smaller companion — Whirlpool Galaxy
Hubble observation

Pink clouds trace the places where new stars are forming along M51’s spiral arms.
NASA, ESA, S. Beckwith (STScI), and the Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA)

Bright young stars inside the pink and brown clouds of the Orion Nebula — Orion Nebula
Hubble observation

Four massive young stars at the nebula’s center light up and sculpt the surrounding clouds of gas.
NASA, ESA, M. Robberto (STScI/ESA), and the Hubble Space Telescope Orion Treasury Project Team

Sunlight rims Saturn and catches the far side of its rings against black space — Saturn
Cassini observation

Cassini captured this sunlit crescent and the surrounding rings shortly before its final descent into Saturn.
NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute