Astronomy Picture of the Day
One astronomy image a day since 1995, each with a paragraph from an actual astronomer and an archive going back decades.
Opens in a new tab. We do not control this site and it may have changed since we catalogued it.
How to get the most from it
Astronomy Picture of the Day sits in Space & Scale under Learn, filed as instant.
- Just open it. It pays off within seconds, with nothing to read first.
- It works on a phone or a desktop, so open it on whatever is nearest.
- It works with the sound off, so it is fine on a train or in a quiet office.
- No account needed — you can start without signing up.
- Go in expecting something beautiful, brainy and cosy.
About this category: Space, deep time and the size of things. Every site here exists to give you the one thing a textbook diagram cannot: actual scale.
Good for
- A five-second distraction
- Looking at something lovely
- Giving your brain a workout
- Somewhere low-key to settle into
- A quiet break at your desk
- Killing time on your phone
- Trying it with zero commitment
Astronomy Picture of the Day: quick answers
Is Astronomy Picture of the Day free?
Yes. Astronomy Picture of the Day is free to use and needs no account.
Do I need an account to use Astronomy Picture of the Day?
No. You can use Astronomy Picture of the Day without signing up for anything.
Does Astronomy Picture of the Day work on a phone?
Yes. Astronomy Picture of the Day works on phones as well as desktop browsers.
Is Astronomy Picture of the Day safe for work?
Yes, we file it as safe for work. It also works muted.
How long does Astronomy Picture of the Day take?
We file it as "Instant": Good within five seconds of loading.
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