This photograph captures a massive star-birthing nebula in the constellation Triangulum. This nebula consists of a contorted cloud of gases lit by the forming stars within, much like a flame within a lamp.

This is a cool three-dimensional-feeling image that would work well in space illustration or as a layer in a background collage.

This image was taken by the Hubble Space Telescope – NASA. NASA is an Agency of the United States Government, therefore this image is in the public domain.

2.47 Megabyte JPG. Hosted by nasa.gov.

Related posts:

1. Reflection Nebula
2. Galaxies Collide
3. Spiral Galaxy

This is a fantastic image of the infamous Ring Nebula. At the center of the ring of gases, the central star sits in a bath of hot helium. In concentric rings moving outwards, we see a variety of gases represented by the rainbow of colors. NASA’s website states that this nebula is located about “2,000 light-years from Earth in the direction of the constellation Lyra.”

The most breathtaking thing about this image is the brilliance of its colors, and as such it might make a fantastic color sampling palette.

This image was taken by the Hubble Space Telescope – NASA. NASA is an Agency of the United States Government, therefore this image is in the public domain.

700 kilobyte JPG. Hosted by nasa.gov.

Related posts:

1. Cat’s Eye Nebula
2. Misty Crab Nebula
3. Galaxies Collide

This colorful image captures the Cat’s Eye Nebula, which is a complex nebula that exhibits a wide variety of gaseous clouds, layers, and jets. NASA’s website notes that this may be a “double-star system.” They point out that adding a second star to the equation would help to explain some of the complexities of this formation.

There is no doubt that many applications exist for an image with this level of vibrancy and complexity. You could use it as a desktop wallpaper… have a couple drinks and stare at your screen. No shame in that.

This image was taken by the Hubble Space Telescope – NASA. NASA is an Agency of the United States Government, therefore this image is in the public domain.

1.8 Megabyte JPG. Hosted by nasa.gov.

Related posts:

1. Misty Crab Nebula
2. Galaxies Collide
3. Ring Nebula

This colorful image captures the Tarantula Nebula which resides in the Large Magellanic Cloud. If all that just sounds like Greek to you, then we’re in the same boat. NASA’s website describes the cluster of stars in the lower right of the image as older and, in some cases, supernovae. The energy from these explosions is plowing through the gases of the Tarantula Nebula, causing the sheeting effect within the pink gases.

Because of the great texture and color in this public domain image, it would work well as a website background or as an inclusion in background collage.

This image was taken by the Hubble Space Telescope – NASA. NASA is an Agency of the United States Government, therefore this image is in the public domain.

1.6 Megabyte JPG. Hosted by nasa.gov.

Related posts:

1. Misty Crab Nebula
2. Butterfly Nebula
3. Reflection Nebula

This extraordinary image from the Hubble Space Telescope captures a quintessential spiral galaxy in all its glory. The NASA website points out that the center of this galaxy contains a greater concentration of older stars producing red and yellow shades, while the outer tendrils cast a bluer hue with an abundance of younger stars and star-forming gases.

This lovely image would make an unparalleled wallpaper for the space exploration enthusiast. For the rest, it would work well as a space canvas, or an integration into other works.

This image was taken by the Hubble Space Telescope – NASA. NASA is an Agency of the United States government, therefore this image is in the public domain.

2.5 Megabyte JPG. Hosted by nasa.gov.

Related posts:

1. Galaxies Collide
2. Butterfly Nebula
3. Cat’s Eye Nebula

This colorful image captures two stars in rapid orbit. These stars are orbiting so closely that the larger has stripped the outermost layers from the smaller star. These stripped gases make up the beautiful butterfly-like gas projections visible in this image. They have been blown outwards from the central stars by stellar winds.

This lovely image should have a wide range of uses including integration into background texture collages, canvas for illustrations, or wallpapers.

This image was taken by the Hubble Space Telescope – NASA. NASA is an Agency of the United States Government, therefore this image is in the public domain.

1.1 Megabyte JPG. Hosted by nasa.gov.

Related posts:

1. Reflection Nebula
2. Misty Crab Nebula
3. Galaxies Collide

Captured in this image is the collision of two large spiral galaxies. The larger of the two galaxies is powerfully distorting the smaller and causing it to shoot out large tendrils of gas and star matter. The NASA website notes that this particular celestial contact is not a head-on collision but a grazing that will alter the trajectory of these giants such that later orbits will cause further damage, and eventually a convergence.

This public domain photo of a deep space collision would make a wonderful addition to any space collage, background image, or wallpaper. If you are in the illustration fields this might be a great canvas from which to develop a work.

This image was taken by the Hubble Space Telescope – NASA. NASA is an Agency of the United States Government, therefore this image is in the public domain.

3.42 Megabyte JPG. Hosted by nasa.gov.

Related posts:

1. Spiral Galaxy
2. Misty Crab Nebula
3. Cat’s Eye Nebula

The Crab Nebula is the remnants of an enormous star over ten times the size of our sun and that ended in a supernova on July 4, 1054. NASA’s website notes that Chinese astronomers left records of the event. They recorded a bright new star that lasted for several weeks and was visible during night and daytime hours. This fantastic image captures gases and dust being driven away from the remaining pulsar star located at the center of the image.

With a great deal of misty, fiery texture, this deep space image would work well as an integration into a texture background collage or as a base for space illustration.

This image was taken by the Hubble Space Telescope – NASA. NASA is an Agency of the United States Government, therefore this image is in the public domain.

1.7 Megabyte JPG. Hosted by nasa.gov.

Related posts:

1. Cat’s Eye Nebula
2. Galaxies Collide
3. Butterfly Nebula

This large public domain image of Jupiter shows, in great detail, the large red spot that characterizes this giant planet. The NASA website describes this spot as an enormous rotating storm, greater in size than the entire Earth, with wind speeds upwards of 270 miles per hour. As with many of the space images, this photo would make an excellent wallpaper or could be incorporated into other works.

This image was taken by the Hubble Space Telescope – NASA. NASA is an Agency of the United States Government, therefore this image is in the public domain.

671 kilobyte JPG. Hosted by nasa.gov.

Related posts:

1. Planetary Nebula
2. Reflection Nebula
3. Cat’s Eye Nebula

This fantastic public domain photo from the Hubble Space Telescope captures a planetary nebula with great color. Planetary nebulae are a dense mist of gas expelled by a star. In some situations, these gases provide the medium from which planets are developed. This particular nebula image has the look of an eye, or an old fashioned marble. It would work great in a background texture collage or on its own as a wallpaper.

This image was taken by the Hubble Space Telescope – NASA. NASA is an Agency of the United States Government, therefore this image is in the public domain.

1 megabyte JPG. Hosted by nasa.gov.

Related posts:

1. Misty Crab Nebula
2. Planetary Nebula
3. Reflection Nebula