Astronomy Pictures of the Year for 2007

Looking back over the past year, the editors of the Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD) have decided to list 12 of the more memorable images posted to APOD in 2007. There was certainly no shortage of breathtaking images to choose from -- with robotic cameras orbiting Mars and rolling around its surface, the Cassini spacecraft at Saturn, space telescopes exploring the cosmos, and ground-based imaging with increasingly sophisticated hardware and software. Therefore, besides choosing our overall favorites, we have tried to diversify the selection to include spectacular pictures from several different categories. Twelve Astronomy Pictures of the Year (APOY) are highlighted below in the order they appeared on APOD. The selection process was, of course, very difficult and in the end more than a little arbitrary. In fact, of these 12 APOYs only one was unanimously selected. Hopefully, you will recognize at least one of your own favorites here!

RJN, JTB - Planet Earth, December 2007

APOD: 2007 January 22
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The Magnificent Tail of Comet McNaught
Credit & Copyright: Robert H. McNaught

APOD: 2007 February 3
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Alborz Mountains in Moonlight
Credit & Copyright: Babak Tafreshi

APOD: 2007 March 16
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Eclipsing the Rings
Credit & Copyright: Pete Lawrence (Digital-Astronomy)

APOD: 2007 April 13
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Seven Dusty Sisters
Credit: NASA, JPL-Caltech, J. Stauffer (SSC, Caltech)

APOD: 2007 April 18
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Barred Spiral Galaxy NGC 1672
Credit: NASA, ESA, Hubble Heritage Team (STScI / AURA) Hubble Heritage (STScI/AURA);
Acknowledgment: L. Jenkins (GSFC/U. Leicester)

APOD: 2007 May 8
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A Dark Sky Over Death Valley
Credit: Dan Duriscoe, U.S. National Park Service

APOD: 2007 June 8
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Markarian's Eyes
Credit & Copyright: Ken Crawford (Rancho Del Sol Observatory)

APOD: 2007 June 25
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The International Space Station Expands Again
Credit: STS-117 Shuttle Crew, NASA

APOD: 2007 September 20
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Northern Cygnus
Credit & Copyright: Robert Gendler

APOD: 2007 October 10
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The Strange Trailing Side of Saturn's Iapetus
Credit: Cassini Imaging Team, SSI, JPL, ESA, NASA

APOD: 2007 October 22
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Victoria Crater on Mars
Credit: Mars Exploration Rover Mission, Cornell, JPL, NASA

APOD: 2007 November 10
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A Tale of Comet Holmes
Credit & Copyright: Ivan Eder and (inset) Paolo Berardi

APOD editors: Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)
NASA Official: Phillip Newman Specific rights apply.
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