NASA Image and Video Library

Science & Nature · NASA Image and Video Library results · public source

Official docs

Live lookup

Type a real query, scan the cards and confirm the key details before opening the full source.

Quick examples

What the response contains

Try Apollo, Mars, and Hubble and use the returned fields to identify the right record.

Fields worth checking

Science & Nature
NASA Image and Video Library results
public source

What a NASA search actually finds

The /search route compares a term with indexed metadata. On this page, media_type=image limits results to images; the documentation also supports video and audio. A result can include title, nasa_id, date_created, center, description, keywords, and links to files or the item’s collection.json.

nasa_id identifies a NASA asset and is more stable than a title for another lookup.
center names the NASA centre that published media, not necessarily the photographed place.
A subject search can mix missions, photographs, illustrations, logos, and historical files.

Use filters when a subject is broad

Alongside q, the source accepts filters for center, description, keywords, location, title, photographer, secondary_creator, and a year range. page starts at 1 and page_size controls results per page. Begin with a focused query and add a filter that answers the question instead of treating the first image as the best or newest one.

Use title to look for a specific mission or object name.
Use year_start and year_end to separate historical periods.
Keep media_type=image when an interface can only display images.

A visual result still needs context

Alternate links can offer small, medium, large, or original versions, but a response does not turn every image into a generic illustration without credit. Read title, description, date, and responsible centre; when an item has collection.json, open it to check related files. Treat an image as a collection record, not isolated proof of a broad claim.

Choose an asset version that fits page width and performance.
Keep nasa_id and the source link when citing or organising an item.
Check the NASA page and conditions before reusing media beyond a lookup.