NASA Image Archive Screensaver
The NASA Image Archive screensaver shows a slideshow through NASA's public image library, read key-less from its own search API. Distinct from Astronomy Picture of the Day, which shows one curated image daily; this browses by subject. It's free, runs in your browser, and ESC exits.
Live preview
Press ESC to leave fullscreen. Settings are saved in your browser only.
How the NASA Image Archive screensaver works
The saver reads NASA's image library API directly in your browser — no key and no account.
A slideshow through NASA's public image library, read key-less from its own search API.
It refreshes on a schedule, so what you see stays current.
Colours can be changed in settings; nothing is stored beyond your own browser.
About the NASA Image and Video Library
NASA’s Image and Video Library at images.nasa.gov launched on 28 March 2017. NASA’s launch release describes it as a searchable home for still photos, video and sound recordings, gathering material from more than 60 separate collections, with over 140,000 files at the start. NASA describes it as selective rather than complete, so it is a curated slice of what the agency makes public. The searchable catalogue is exposed through an API, which is what this slideshow pulls from.
On reuse, NASA says its images, audio, video and other media are generally not subject to copyright in the United States. There are exceptions: third-party material is marked with the copyright holder’s name and NASA’s use does not grant anyone else rights to it, and the NASA logos and insignia are not in the public domain. Check the credit shown on the original record before reusing anything.
Colours in space and Earth imagery often need explaining. NASA’s explanations of false-colour images say they assign visible colours (red, green or blue) to measurements from wavelengths people cannot see, so differences that visible light hides become legible. The slideshow samples the catalogue, so it is a browse of what is there rather than a ranking of NASA’s best pictures.
A worked example
A slideshow through NASA's public image library, read key-less from its own search API. Distinct from Astronomy Picture of the Day, which shows one curated image daily; this browses by subject.
Settings & tips
- Accent and Background recolour the display.
- Data comes straight from NASA's image library API in your browser.
- Press ESC to leave fullscreen.
Frequently asked questions
- Is this real data?
- Yes — it comes from NASA's image library API and is refreshed on a schedule.
- Is a key needed?
- No. This source is fully key-less.
- Is it free?
- Yes — free, no download, in your browser.
- Are these images free to reuse?
- NASA says its media is generally not subject to copyright in the US, but third-party material is marked with the copyright holder and NASA logos are not public domain, so check each record’s credit before reusing.
- Why do some space pictures have unnatural colours?
- Many are false-colour images, where measurements from wavelengths outside human vision are assigned visible colours so that differences in the data can be seen.
- Does the library include video and audio?
- Yes. The library holds still images, video and audio, though this slideshow shows images.