Space images are among the most shared visual content on the internet, and most of them are free to use — but they still need to be credited correctly. Getting credits wrong is easy because NASA, ESA, Hubble, Webb, and dozens of partner agencies each have slightly different conventions.

This guide gives you a clear, practical framework for crediting space images correctly, whether you are writing a blog post, making a presentation, or publishing a website.

The core rule

Always credit the source exactly as specified by the releasing agency.

If the image page provides a specific credit line, use it verbatim. Do not abbreviate it, rearrange it, or omit partners.

NASA images

General NASA imagery

Most NASA images are not copyrighted and are in the public domain under US federal government work rules. You may use them freely, but NASA requests a credit.

Standard credit: NASA or NASA/[Centre or Programme]

Examples:

  • NASA — generic
  • NASA/JPL-Caltech — Jet Propulsion Laboratory imagery
  • NASA/GSFC — Goddard Space Flight Center
  • NASA/JSC — Johnson Space Center (astronaut photography)
  • NASA/CXC — Chandra X-ray Center

Important exceptions

  • Images taken by named photographers (including astronaut portraits) may have additional credit requirements
  • Hubble images are jointly NASA/ESA and follow their own convention (see below)
  • Some NASA-funded imagery produced by contractors or universities may carry additional copyright — always check the specific image page

ESA images

ESA images follow a different licensing model. Most ESA images are released under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 IGO (CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO) licence.

This means:

  • ✅ You may use, share, and adapt the images
  • ✅ You must give appropriate credit
  • ✅ You must indicate if changes were made
  • ✅ You must distribute derivatives under the same or compatible licence
  • ❌ You may not imply ESA endorsement of your work

Standard credit format: ESA/[Mission or instrument]

Examples:

  • ESA/Hubble — for Hubble images released through the ESA portal
  • ESA/Webb — for JWST images released through the ESA portal
  • ESA/Rosetta/NavCam — Rosetta mission navigation camera
  • ESA/Gaia/DPAC — Gaia mission with Data Processing and Analysis Consortium

Hubble Space Telescope

Hubble is a joint NASA/ESA project. Images are released through two portals:

  • NASA: hubblesite.org → typically NASA, ESA, [PI name(s)]; Image Processing: [processor name(s)]
  • ESA: esahubble.org → typically ESA/Hubble & NASA, [PI name(s)]

The credit order differs depending on which portal released the image. Use the credit from the portal where you sourced the image.

James Webb Space Telescope

JWST is a collaboration between NASA, ESA, and CSA (Canadian Space Agency). The standard credit is:

NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI

Individual releases add the science team and image processors:

NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, [PI name(s)]

For a detailed explanation of how JWST images are made and why the colours look the way they do, see the earlier guide on NIRCam vs MIRI.

Other agencies and missions

Agency / Source Typical credit format
JAXA (Japan) JAXA/[Mission]
ISRO (India) ISRO/[Mission]
CSA (Canada) CSA/[Mission] or included in JWST credit
ESO (European Southern Observatory) ESO/[Instrument or survey] — CC BY 4.0 licence
NOAO / NOIRLab NOIRLab/NSF/AURA
SOHO SOHO (ESA & NASA)

Credit checklist

When crediting any space image:

  1. ✅ Find the original source page (not a repost on social media)
  2. ✅ Copy the credit line from that page exactly
  3. ✅ Include all listed partners and contributors
  4. ✅ Note the licence (public domain, CC BY-SA, etc.)
  5. ✅ If you edited the image, state that clearly (e.g., "Cropped and annotated by [you]")
  6. ❌ Do not credit only "NASA" when the image is "NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI"
  7. ❌ Do not remove watermarks or embedded credit text
  8. ❌ Do not use images marked as copyrighted by a named photographer without their permission

Common mistakes

Crediting Hubble images to "NASA" alone

Hubble is a joint project. ESA must be credited.

Using an ESA image without the licence terms

ESA images are CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO. If you modify them, your derivative must also be shared under a compatible licence.

Assuming all APOD images are public domain

APOD (Astronomy Picture of the Day) features images from many sources, including amateur astrophotographers who retain copyright. Always check the specific APOD entry.

Ignoring image processors

Many modern releases credit the image-processing team by name. These people often spend significant effort turning raw data into the final visual product.

Further reading