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From the first-ever image of a black hole, to astronaut Christina Koch breaking the record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman – 2019 was full of awe-inspiring events! 

As we look forward to a new decade, we’ve taken ten of our top Instagram posts and put them here for your viewing pleasure. With eight out of ten being carousels, be sure to click on each title to navigate to the full post. 

1. First-Ever Black Hole Image Makes History 

In a historic feat by the Event horizon Telescope and National Science Foundation, an image of a black hole and its shadow was captured for the first time. At a whopping 3.4 million likes, this image takes home the gold as our most loved photo of 2019. Several of our missions were part of a large effort to observe this black hole using different wavelengths of light and collect data to understand its environment. Here’s a look at our Chandra X-Ray Observatory’s close-up of the core of the M87 galaxy with the imaged black hole at its center.  

2. Hubble Celebrates 29 Years of Dazzling Discoveries

When you wish upon a star… Hubble captures it from afar ✨On April 18, 2019 our Hubble Space Telescope celebrated 29 years of dazzling discoveries, serving as a window to the wonders of worlds light-years away. ⁣

Hubble continues to observe the universe in near-ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared light. Over the past 29 years, it has captured the farthest views ever taken of the evolving universe, found planet-forming disks around nearby stars and identified the first supermassive black hole in the heart of a neighboring galaxy. ⁣Want more? Enjoy the full 10 photo Instagram carousel here. 

3. Stars and Stripes in Space for Flag Day 

Patriotism was in the air June 14 for Flag Day, and coming in at number three in our most liked Instagram line up is a carousel of our stars and stripes in space! One of the most iconic images from the Apollo 11 missions is of Buzz Aldrin saluting the American flag on the surface of the Moon. But did you know that over the years, five more flags joined the one left by Apollo 11 – and that many other flags have flown onboard our spacecraft? Scroll through the full carousel for flag day here. 

4. Spitzer Celebrates its Super Sweet 16! 

Since 2003, our Spitzer Space Telescope has been lifting the veil on the wonders of the cosmos, from our own solar system to faraway galaxies, using infrared light! Thanks to Spitzer, we’ve confirm the presence of seven rocky, Earth-size planets, received weather maps of hot, gaseous exoplanets and discovered a hidden ring around Saturn. In honor of Spitzer’s Sweet 16 in space, enjoy 16 jaw-dropping images from its mission here. 

5. Earth as Seen Through Our Astronauts’ Eyes Show  Perspective Changing Views

“That’s here. That’s home. That’s us.” – Carl Sagan

Seeing Earth from space can alter an astronauts’ cosmic perspective, a mental shift known as the “Overview Effect.” First coined by space writer Frank White in 1987, the Overview Effect is described as a feeling of awe for our home planet and a sense of responsibility for taking care of it. See Earth from the vantage point of our astronauts in a carousel of perspective-changing views here.

6. Astronaut Christina Koch Breaks Record for Longest Single Spaceflight by Woman 

Astronaut Christina Koch (@Astro_Christina) set a record Dec. 28, 2019 for the longest single spaceflight by a woman, eclipsing the former record of 288 days set by Peggy Whitson. Her long-duration mission is helping us learn how to keep astronauts healthy for deep space exploration to the Moon and Mars. Congrats to Christina on reaching new heights! Join in the celebration and view few photos she captured from her vantage point aboard the Space Station here. 

7. Our Beautiful Planet – The Only Place We Know to Harbor Life – From Space

Earth is special. It’s the only place in the universe that we know contains life. 

On July 7, 2019, two million people joined us in celebrating its beauty with a jaw dropping carousel of our home planet, as captured by crew members aboard the International Space Station. Bright blue oceans, glowing city lights and ice-capped mountain peaks come to life in a collection of breathtaking images, found here. 

8. A Moon Even Sinatra Couldn’t Help But Sing About

Every 29 days our Moon turns over a new leaf, and on May, 18 we saw a very special one of its faces. Appearing opposite the Sun at 5:11 p.m. EDT, the world looked up to find a Blue Moon! Though the Moon didn’t actually look blue, the site of one is kind of rare. They occur on average about every two-and-a-half years when a season ends up having four full moons instead of three. Click through a carousel of high-definition lunar phases here. 

9. The Majesty of Hubble Imagery … From Your Backyard

On December 23, a new gallery of Hubble Space Telescope images highlighting celestial objects visible to amateur and professional astronomers alike was released. All of the objects are from a collection known as the Caldwell catalog, which includes 109 interesting objects visible in amateur-sized telescopes in both the northern and southern skies. Flip through the jaw-dropping carousel here, and learn more about how you can study the night sky with Hubble here. 

10. The Moon Gets Sassy

Nobody:

The Moon: “Y'all on the way yet?” 👀

We’re working on it, Moon. Under the Artemis program, we’re sending the first woman and the next man to walk on your surface by 2024. Find out how we’re doing it here. 

For more pictures like these, follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nasa/

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XFILES HOROSCOPES: DECEMBER 29TH - JANUARY 4TH 2020

ARIES

MONEY: As the old year ends and a new one begins, the possibly of conflict with others, over what to do and how to do comes to the forefront.  You all have valid input to add in order to get things done, but sometimes “too many cooks spoil the broth”.   Business projects will prosper if you keep things simple and straightforward.  Therefore, decide which plan will bring the most positive outcome.

SEX:     Maintaining a careful balance between attachment and detachment in love is hard but necessary if you want personal relationships to at least grow and evolve.

POWER: Keeping the peace, balance and harmony are essential this week, so you can start the year on the right footing.

TAURUS

MONEY: If you’re not paying attention there’s a chance you’ll get caught up in swindling, scams, dishonest and deceptive situations with people who don’t have your best interests at heart.   You’ve been through this before because you have a habit of giving certain individuals the benefit of the doubt, when in fact they don’t deserve it.  Trust is something to be earned.  So, for future reference,  tread with care  in the area of business/finance, and “read between the lines” of everything verbalized and presented to you.

SEX:     If you’re too idealistic in the area of love you’re going to get hurt or at least find out later, that what you thought was happening was in tact not going on at all.  Both you and your significant other need to communicate more often about your deepest feelings, then there will be no surprises later.

POWER: If you can avoid the deception mentioned above you’ll be one step ahead of your peers and be able to implement long-standing goals.  Just remember to act from a position of reality instead of the ideal.

GEMINI

MONEY: As much as you want to bring about change in order for hopes/wishes to bear fruit, it would be wise, as the year begins to tread with care, especially when dealing with friends/groups of people.   Listen to good advice but don’t over-react if you don’t agree, take the advice for what it’s worth, it could come in handy later.   If you take heed and avoid impulse, you’ll be successful this year, with the things you’re trying to manifest.

SEX:     Don’t look at the differences between you and your significant other as negatives,  instead view them as unique qualities, that bring something special to the relationship.

POWER: The Gemini power to think quickly will come in handy when decisions have to be made this week.    As long as you’re on the right side of Natural Law, you’ll find events that occur this week, the beginning of major change in your life.

CANCER

MONEY: It may seem as if you’re struggling to survive in order to achieve goals and ambitions, however this is just part of the course at this time.  Relentless persistence will eventually get you there, but you need to be more disciplined, focused and not give up, regardless of the odds against you, as daunting as things may seem.

SEX:     Try to be more of your own person in love0relationships, otherwise, if you rely too heavily on you partner, you’l be let-down by what would be perceived as selfishness.

POWER: Try not to be your own worst enemy and self-destruct.   Problems that arise, are simply opportunities to grow and learn.

LEO

MONEY: In your strive to get things done and do better overall, be careful who you “step on” as you move forward and upward.   You may not be aware of the affects of your actions but you need to pay attention, because later when you eventually achieve expansion, the past will come back to haunt you and possibly ‘destroy” what you have accomplished.   As fast as money cones in, it will flow out even quicker this week.

SEX:      If single, be careful of scattering energy and time on useless love affairs that have no worth and value to you in any way. It may seem like a good idea at the time, but later you’ll see it wasn’t.  Attached Leos, should work harder at fixing relationship flaw, that threaten the structure.

POWER: If you allow certain people to over-encourage you, time, wasted money and energy will be the price you pay.

VIRGO

MONEY: As the year begins the Universe is sending a message for 2020, it’s time to live up to your highest potential and do better that you have been  up to this point,   especially when it comes to joint financial partnerships.   You must keep moving forward in spite of the obstacles you face and people who have let you down.    Strive to be your own boss, but not at the expense of others.  By being kind to Self and others, you’ll gather good fortune from the Universe.

SEX:     Beware of putting deep-seated frustrations onto your partner, they don’t deserve it.   Instead, share how you feel and you might be surprised that new solutions are reached between you, to solve existing problems you face.

POWER: Start the year “running”, making strides towards the things you want to accomplish. There is no time to vacillate, procrastinate or wallow in self-pity, because this is a retrograde year of many ups and downs and only those who pay attention and move with the Universe will “survive”.

LIBRA

MONEY: Be careful in contractual agreements of creating unnecessary conflict because you disagree with decisions/points-of-view,  especially with the opposite sex.  The best course of action would be to take a step back and look at things from a broader perspective.   Give and take will bring a more favorable outcome.

SEX:     Listen to what your partner thinks and feels, their viewpoint is valid and for them it’s about self-worth, feeling they are of importance in the relationship.

POWER: In trying to gain more public recognition, give careful thought to how you present yourself and what you have to offer.   Changes could be made that would attract greater interest and popularity, if you’re willing to get out of your comfort zone.

SCORPIO

MONEY:   In the area of work you could find it hard to communicate ideas and for them be understood, which could influence you to  compete for attention.  The solution is to not try so hard to be the center of attention or the only “expert” in the room.   Just go with the flow and convey your ideas from the heart, not ego.

SEX:     Avoid over-reacting to something your significant other says to you.   It’s possible you didn’t hear their words correctly and/or you got the “wrong end of the stick”.   Either way, if you ask for clarification you’ll realize you’re blowing things out of proportion.

POWER: Knowledge is power, but you don’t have all the answers and still have many life-lessons to learn.  Remember this throughout the week.

SAGITTARIUS

MONEY: Taking risks to achieve creative success will pay-off if you’re persistent, but you must be mindful of being too impulsive, not thinking things through before taking action.   Even though you may still feel a bit insecure about establishing yourself,  If you patiently act and rationalize first, success is likely.

SEX:     Communication with your partner should come from a position of tolerance, tact and understanding, so that you don’t say something you later regret.

POWER: Boldness and assertiveness are the ingredients needed to be successful in your chosen creative field.   However, if you meditate more often you’ll be able to sense and feel when it’s time for action and when it’s tine to standstill.  This “gift” will come in handy this year.

CAPRICORN

MONEY: Changes to your foundation of life that affect prosperity are imminent, especially with Jupiter in your sign for a year.   However, you must yet overcome the intense difficulties you still feel when it comes to asserting Self at the right time and place, to the right people, especially in a public format.  It’s an issue of self-worth.   One step at a time and you’ll reach the top.

SEX:   It will be easy to be quarrelsome this week as the year begins and you feel the urge to get things done.  It’s not what you say or do, but how you way and do it that counts.   Be tactful and considerate of your partner’s feelings.

POWER: Meditation will be your ally throughout the turbulent new year.   If you can better align yourself with the flow of the Universe and the direction it’s leading you towards.  If you’re able to do this, it’ll be easy to navigate through “troubled waters” of 2020.

AQUARIUS

MONEY: In order to get projects, plans and ideas off the ground, it’ll be necessary to write them down first in an organized structure, so that you’re able to clearly see the weaknesses and strengths of each one.  Some are good for now others for later.   If you try to communicate them from memory, nothing will make sense to others and you’ll lose their support/interest. Remember not everyone sees things through your eyes or shares your enthusiasm.  If you’re able to clarify and explain with honesty and sincerity, you’ll “win” people over.

SEX:    Peace, balance and harmony are the words to remember when it comes to love.   Your partner will appreciate this approach and be wiling to listen to your perspectives of love.

POWER: The uniqueness of Aquarius is key to their success and this year is no exception as you’re now preparing for your Jupiter cycle at the end of 2020.   You may not receive much moral support from outsiders this year,  but benefits will come from old/forgotten sources and spiritual guides (if you have a strong link with them).

PISCES

MONEY: When it comes to financial matters your opinion could cause friction with others, who see things from a different perspective.   However,  this doesn’t mean you’re wrong.   Try to find a middle ground, because this is the only way to bring resolution and try get some of what you want.

SEX:    Sometimes it’s better to wait for the right time and place to share your thoughts.  IN the area of love this is definitely the case.   When the time is right your partner will be more open and receptive to hear your thoughts on the relationship.  Be the observer for now.