The 7 Secrets Behind NASA's Astronomy Picture Of The Day (APOD) Selection: What It Takes To Go Viral

Every single day, a fresh, breathtaking image of the cosmos is unveiled to the world as the official NASA-supported Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD). Launched on June 16, 1995, this daily celestial showcase has become one of the most enduring and beloved features on the internet, offering a free, curated dose of astrophysics and astrophotography to millions.

As of December 15, 2025, the APOD archive spans over three decades, featuring everything from stunning amateur deep-sky captures to the latest, high-resolution masterpieces from missions like the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). The real fascination, however, lies in the highly selective process: how do the editors sift through the thousands of submissions and professional releases to pick just one image to define the cosmos for the day?

The Curators of the Cosmos: Meet the APOD Editors

The entire, highly competitive selection process is managed by just two individuals, a remarkable fact given the site's global prominence and daily consistency. These two astrophysicists are the gatekeepers of the cosmos, having personally selected virtually every APOD since its inception.

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• Dr. Robert J. Nemiroff: Co-founder and Editor. Dr. Nemiroff is a professor of physics at Michigan Technological University (MTU). He is responsible for much of the site's technical infrastructure and is a key voice in the daily selection.
• Dr. Jerry T. Bonnell: Co-founder and Editor. Dr. Bonnell is an astrophysicist based at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center and the University of Maryland, College Park. His research interests include gamma-ray bursts, but he dedicates a significant portion of his time to curating APOD.

Together, Nemiroff and Bonnell receive hundreds of submissions daily—a mix of professional telescope data, amateur astrophotography, and space agency releases—making the selection process intensely competitive.

7 Undisclosed Criteria That Determine an APOD Selection

While the editors maintain that the final decision often comes down to a subjective "aesthetic" appeal and what "catches their eye," decades of curating the world's most popular daily astronomy feature have established several clear, unwritten criteria.

1. Aesthetic Impact and Visual Storytelling

The primary, non-negotiable criterion is simple visual impact. An APOD image must be more than just scientifically accurate; it needs to be immediately stunning. The editors are looking for "something that catches their eye." This often means vibrant colors, sharp detail, and a composition that draws the viewer into the scene, whether it’s a swirling spiral galaxy, a luminous nebula, or a close-up of a planetary surface.

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2. Scientific Relevance and Timeliness

A photograph that is beautiful but scientifically irrelevant rarely makes the cut. The image must illustrate a fundamental concept in cosmology or planetary science. Crucially, the editors prioritize timeliness. If a major astronomical event has just occurred—such as a new image from the JWST, a recent meteor shower, or a newly constructed terrestrial telescope like the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT)—the editors will often feature related images to keep the content fresh and current.

Recent examples of timely APOD features include:

• New data releases from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) showing molecular clouds like Sagittarius B2 or distant nebulae like the Red Spider Nebula (NGC 6537).
• Ground-based phenomena, such as a New Year's Aurora or a Stable Auroral Red (SAR) Arc capture.
• Images of ongoing space missions or new astronomical equipment.

3. Educational Value and Clarity

Every APOD is accompanied by a concise, informative caption written by the editors. This text is as important as the image itself. The photo must clearly depict a phenomenon that can be explained and understood by a general audience. The editors are, at their core, communicators of science, and the image serves as the perfect hook to teach about complex topics like star formation, dark matter, or the structure of galaxies.

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4. Technical Quality and Processing Honesty

While APOD accepts images from both professional observatories (like Hubble and JWST) and amateur astrophotographers, the technical quality must be impeccable. For amateur submissions, this means minimal noise, accurate focusing, and expert post-processing. A key ethical criterion is transparency: the editors require that any composited or digitally manipulated images be clearly identified, and the techniques used must be described. This ensures that the viewer understands which parts of the image are 'real' astronomical data and which are artistic enhancements.

5. Representation of Diverse Celestial Objects (Topical Authority)

To maintain topical authority and keep the archive interesting, the editors ensure a balanced rotation of celestial objects. They avoid featuring the same object too frequently, deliberately showcasing the immense diversity of the universe. This strategy ensures the APOD archive covers the full spectrum of astronomical entities.

Featured entities frequently include:

• Deep-Sky Objects: Spiral galaxies, barred spirals, emission nebulae (like the Trifid Nebula), reflection nebulae, and dark nebulae.
• Star Clusters: Both open clusters (young, loosely bound groups) and dense globular clusters.
• Planetary Science: Detailed close-ups of planets (like Jupiter's cyclones), moons, and asteroids.
• Earth & Sky: Composites that combine terrestrial elements (e.g., landscapes, trees) with celestial events (e.g., the Milky Way, meteor showers).

6. Uniqueness and Rarity of the Phenomenon

An image that captures a rare, transient, or difficult-to-photograph event is highly valued. This could be a supernova remnant, a lightning strike coinciding perfectly with a galaxy, or a highly detailed shot of a solar prominence. The editors are constantly seeking submissions that push the boundaries of astrophotography and reveal a new perspective on a familiar object.

7. Accessibility and Public Domain Status

The APOD website is a NASA-supported educational resource, meaning the images and the accompanying text are generally in the public domain or used with explicit permission for educational, non-commercial purposes. This commitment to free and open access is a core part of its mission, making it a reliable source for students, educators, and science enthusiasts worldwide.

The Enduring Legacy of the Daily Cosmic Dose

The Astronomy Picture of the Day is more than just a website; it is an institution. With a heritage spanning over 30 years, it has become a crucial tool for public outreach and education, translating complex astronomical data into easily digestible, beautiful art. The dedication of its two editors, Dr. Nemiroff and Dr. Bonnell, ensures that every day, millions of people around the globe are reminded of the vast, stunning, and ever-unfolding drama of the cosmos. By prioritizing aesthetics, scientific relevance, and clear communication, APOD continues to inspire the next generation of astronomers and astrophotographers, solidifying its place as the definitive daily snapshot of our universe.