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Dec 25, 2016 7:00 AM

The Most Stunning Space Photos of 2016

From the rings of Saturn to colliding galaxy clusters, WIRED presents the best space photos of 2016.

This image may contain Universe Space Astronomy Nebula and Outer Space — <a href="http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/chandra/westerlund-2.html">NASA</a>
BSP-054.jpg
To celebrate American Archive Month in October, NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory has released a collection of images, including this shot of a cluster of stars 20,000 light years from Earth. The blue and green shows cosmic haze where clouds form; x-rays are shown in purple.

Image may contain Universe Space Astronomy Nebula Outer Space Flame Bonfire Fire Art and Painting — <a href="http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/chandra/westerlund-2.html">NASA</a>
BSP-054.jpg
To celebrate American Archive Month in October, NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory has released a collection of images, including this shot of a cluster of stars 20,000 light years from Earth. The blue and green shows cosmic haze where clouds form; x-rays are shown in purple.

You don't have to visit a galaxy far, far away to see gorgeous images of space. Leave the interstellar antics to Jyn Erso, and check out WIRED's selection of the most stunning photos in the universe, from burping black holes to exploding supernovas.

From the launch of Juno's 20-month orbit of Jupiter to the SpaceX landing (and explosion) to the possible discovery of an exoplanet orbiting Proxima Centauri, 2016 has been full of accomplishments in space. But this year, NASA also lost one of its greatest stars: John Glenn, fearless as the first American to orbit Earth, and, later, the oldest.

Space photos allow everyone to feel a tiny bit of the wonder Glenn experienced looking down on our planet. It's the kind of awe that keeps you coming back. So enjoy these incredible images from the great beyond. May there be many more to come.

Charley Locke is a writer for WIRED covering culture and photography.

Writer

TopicsNASA Photography space Space Photos of the Week

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