The Digital Press

The Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD) is celebrating its 30th anniversary with a special mosaic image made from thousands of past pictures, honoring its community of contributors and readers.

Why it matters: APOD has inspired and educated millions about the cosmos for three decades through daily astronomy images.

The big picture: The anniversary image uses 1,836 individual past APOD images arranged in 32,232 tiles to recreate Van Gogh's Starry Night.

Quick takeaway: APOD’s longevity highlights the enduring public interest in space and the collaborative efforts behind science communication.

Commenters say: Readers appreciate the tribute to APOD’s history and community while sharing gratitude for the daily cosmic discoveries.