Image Credits
All planetary images used on this website are provided courtesy of NASA and are in the public domain. We are grateful to NASA and the various space missions for making these stunning images available to the public.
Images are used under NASA's public domain policy, which allows free use of NASA materials for educational and informational purposes. No copyright is asserted for these images.
Planetary Images
Mercury
Image: Mercury in Enhanced Color
Source: NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Carnegie Institution of Washington
NASA ID: PIA19422
Venus
Image: Venus True Color
Source: NASA/JPL-Caltech
NASA ID: PIA00271
Earth
Image: Blue Marble 2012
Source: NASA/NOAA/GSFC/Suomi NPP/VIIRS
NASA ID: bluemarble2012
Mars
Image: Mars True Color Global View
Source: NASA/JPL-Caltech/USGS
NASA ID: PIA00407
Jupiter
Image: Jupiter from Juno Mission
Source: NASA/JPL-Caltech/SwRI/MSSS
NASA ID: PIA21775
Saturn
Image: Saturn with Rings - Cassini Mission
Source: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute
NASA ID: PIA17172
Uranus
Image: Uranus - Voyager 2
Source: NASA/JPL-Caltech
NASA ID: PIA18182
Neptune
Image: Neptune - Voyager 2
Source: NASA/JPL-Caltech
NASA ID: PIA01492
Image Resources
- NASA Image and Video Library
Comprehensive collection of NASA images, videos, and audio files
- NASA Solar System Exploration
Curated planetary imagery organized by planet and mission
- NASA/JPL Photojournal
High-resolution images from NASA's planetary missions
NASA's Media Usage Guidelines
NASA content (images, videos, audio, etc.) are generally not copyrighted and may be used for educational or informational purposes without needing explicit permissions. However, NASA does request that proper credit be given to the source.
For more information, visit: NASA Media Usage Guidelines
Scientific Data Sources & Accuracy
Time Across the Solar System maintains rigorous scientific accuracy by sourcing all planetary data from authoritative scientific institutions and peer-reviewed research. We do not use approximate values or estimates—every orbital period, rotation rate, and planetary characteristic is verified against multiple authoritative sources.
Primary Data Sources
- • NASA Planetary Fact Sheets: Official NASA data on orbital periods, rotation periods, mass, diameter, and other planetary characteristics
- • JPL Solar System Dynamics: Jet Propulsion Laboratory's authoritative ephemeris data and orbital mechanics calculations
- • International Astronomical Union (IAU): Official definitions and standards for planetary classification and measurement
- • European Space Agency (ESA): Data from ESA missions including Mars Express, Venus Express, and Rosetta
Quality Assurance
- • Cross-verification: All data points verified against multiple authoritative sources
- • Regular Updates: Data updated when new missions provide more accurate measurements
- • Precision Standards: Orbital periods accurate to 3 decimal places, rotation periods to nearest second
- • Community Review: Open to corrections from astronomers, educators, and the scientific community
Why Attribution Matters
Proper attribution of images, data, and scientific research serves multiple critical purposes in science education and communication.
Scientific Integrity
Attribution maintains the chain of scientific evidence. When students and educators can trace data back to its original source (NASA missions, research papers, observatories), they can verify accuracy and understand the methodology behind the measurements.
Public Trust
Transparent sourcing builds trust in educational content. When readers know that planetary data comes from NASA and IAU rather than arbitrary estimates, they can confidently use and share the information knowing it's scientifically valid.
Educational Value
Attribution teaches students to value primary sources and authoritative data. Learning to trace information back to NASA, ESA, and peer-reviewed journals develops critical thinking and research skills essential for scientific literacy.
Planetary Mission Highlights
The stunning planetary images on this site come from decades of space exploration missions. Each image represents years of planning, billions of dollars in investment, and the work of thousands of scientists and engineers.
Voyager 1 & 2 (1977-present)
The Grand Tour missions that photographed Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune, revolutionizing our understanding of the outer solar system. Voyager images revealed Jupiter's turbulent atmosphere, Saturn's complex rings, Uranus's unusual tilt, and Neptune's dynamic weather.
MESSENGER (2004-2015)
First spacecraft to orbit Mercury, providing the most detailed images and data ever collected of the innermost planet. MESSENGER revealed Mercury's complex surface geology and confirmed water ice in permanently shadowed craters.
Cassini-Huygens (1997-2017)
13-year mission exploring Saturn, its rings, and moons. Cassini's images revealed the beauty and complexity of Saturn's ring system and discovered liquid methane lakes on Titan. The mission ended with a deliberate plunge into Saturn's atmosphere.
Juno (2011-present)
Currently orbiting Jupiter, Juno provides unprecedented views of Jupiter's poles and deep atmosphere. JunoCam captures stunning color images that reveal the dynamic nature of Jupiter's swirling clouds and massive storms.
Explore Planetary Data
Now that you understand our data sources, explore interactive tools that use this NASA-verified data.