Get Creative with Data from Past Challenges

The data from past seasons of the Astrophoto Challenges is always available — pull up NASA data files of different galaxies and nebulae in JS9-4L and see what you can create!

How to access image data from past seasons

All of the image files from past seasons are made available in the Challenges Archive of JS9-4L, so that you can create your own astrophotography long after the Challenges have ended. You'll find the image files in the Challenge Images dropdown (see image below).

Find all NASA image files from past seasons in the Challenges Archive of JS9-4L

Experts discuss targets from past Challenges

What can astrophotography tell you about the dust lanes in distant nebulae or the stellar winds shooting from starburst galaxies? Watch videos of experts discussing the most exciting features of targets from past Astrophoto Challenges, and what you can learn about these targets through different wavelengths. All of the NASA image files that the experts discuss are available for you to work with in the Challenges Archive of JS9-4L.

M82 Starburst Galaxywinter 2019-2020

M82 is nicknamed the Cigar Galaxy. Its distorted shape is due to its proximity to its glamorous twin, M81. The gravity of M81 has twisted and distorted M82, turning it into a "starburst galaxy." Inside vast choking dust clouds, thousands of giant hot stars are being made, and the winds generated by the white-hot stars are blowing fountains of gas out of the galaxy. As new stars are born, other giant stars are dying in supernova explosions, making the Cigar Galaxy a spectacular cosmic firecracker! What do you see more of in your OWN image—hot, glowing gas, or dark, shadowy dust clouds?

Optical Light
Hubble Space Telescope
Dr. Duilia de Mello
Professor of Physics, Catholic University of America
X-ray Light
Chandra X-ray Observatory
Dr. Pepi Fabbiano
Astrophysicist, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory
Ultraviolet Light
Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX)
Dr. Mark Seibert
Astrophysicist, Carnegie Observatories
Infrared Light
Spitzer Space Telescope
Dr. Sabrina Stierwalt
Professor of Physics, Occidental College
Find these Messier 82 Galaxy images and more at Astropix

Whirlpool Galaxysummer 2019

A beautiful face-on spiral galaxy, the Whirlpool's spiral pattern was first seen and sketched in 1845. At first, it was unclear whether astronomers were looking at a whole city of stars a long way off, or simply one nearby star and its newly formed planetary system. Can you see the small companion galaxy that is interacting with the larger spiral?

Optical Light
Hubble Space Telescope
Dr. Rupali Chandar
Professor of Astronomy, University of Toledo
X-ray Light
Chandra X-ray Observatory
Dr. Daryl Haggard
Professor of Physics, McGill Space Institute
Ultraviolet Light
Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX)
Dr. Marja Seidel
Astrophysicist, IPAC/Caltech
Infrared Light
Spitzer Space Telescope
Dr. J.D. Smith
Professor of Astronomy, University of Toledo
Find these Whirlpool Galaxy images and more at Astropix

When does the next season start?

The season starts on .

After the season ends, we will review all submissions to NASA's Astrophoto Challenge, and will post standout entries on the Standout Entries page.

Follow our Twitter or Facebook pages to get updates whenever standout entries are posted.

What about past seasons?

You can still work with NASA data from past Challenges! Head to the Challenges Archive of JS9-4L, where you will find NASA image files among the Archived Images for all of the past seasons.

Want to see what others have done with image data? Check out highlighted entries from past Challenges on the Standout Entries page.