1 of 9

White HousesOn January 24, 2016, Landsat 8 captured this image of Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. A nor’easter pounded the region from January 22 to 24, dumping 18 to 24 inches (46 to 61 centimeters) across the area.

Photograph by Joshua Stevens, USGS/NASA Earth Observatory

Week’s Best Space Pictures: A Dust-Free Galaxy Sparkles

Plus, Saturn’s moon Enceladus peeks from the darkness and the surface of Mars hints at its watery, volcanic past.

January 29, 2016

Feed your need for heavenly views of the universe with our pick of the most awe-inspiring space pictures.

This week, a distant galaxy blasts its radio (waves), Earth’s waters swirl with psychedelic shades of green, and satellites capture a destructive snowstorm’s rampage.