IIn this image, a Hayabusa2 sample canister containing sample fragments of the asteroid Ryugu is transferred from JAXA, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, to NASA. http://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/jsc2021e062389.jpg

Dr. Eugene Parker (seated), a pioneer in heliophysics, watches the liftoff of the mission named in his honor. http://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/ksc-20180812-ph_geb01_0045.jpg

This Hubble Space Telescope image captures a portion of the reflection nebula IC 2631, which contains a protostar, the hot, dense core of a forming star that is accumulating gas and dust. http://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/hubble_sstgbsj1109261_ic2631_display1_0.jpg

In this image, the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope captures a side-on view of NGC 3568, a barred spiral galaxy roughly 57 million light-years from the Milky Way in the constellation Centaurus. http://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/hubble_ngc_3568_potw2150a.jpg

These blueprints of the James Webb Space Telescope were created as a prop for a video series. http://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/47690335362_a9b23dc6c8_o.jpeg

The Earth's solstices come twice a year. For the Northern Hemisphere, this year's winter solstice happens on Dec. 21. http://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/seasons_msg_20101221_lrg.jpeg

In this image, the COWVR and TEMPEST instruments are shown in the trunk of the cargo craft. http://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/1-cowvr-loaded-1041.jpg

Arianespace's Ariane 5 rocket with NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope onboard, is rolled out to the launch pad, Thursday, Dec. 23, 2021. http://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/nhq202112230007_0.jpg

This composite image made from seven frames shows the International Space Station, with a crew of seven onboard, in silhouette as it transits the Sun. http://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/51271450910_2301dffc91_o.jpeg

NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, or JWST, launched aboard Arianespace's Ariane 5 rocket on Saturday, Dec. 25, 2021. http://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/51775374322_f109a4ecb1_o.jpeg

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket with the Lucy spacecraft aboard is seen at Space Launch Complex 41, Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021. http://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/51590057956_1977fe98b4_o.jpeg

2021 saw significant milestones achieved in the assembly of NASA’s X-59 Quiet SuperSonic Technology aircraft (QueSST), and all eyes now look forward to a pivotal 2022. http://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/097a2052-pano.jpg

This image shows knots of cold, dense interstellar gas where new stars are forming. http://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/hubble_j2034417_freggs_fullsize_0.jpg

This image shows the James Webb Space Telescope atop its launch vehicle, but before it was encapsulated in the rocket fairing. http://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/51756638171_8ed20da7d5_o.jpeg

Legendary actor and diplomat, Sidney Poitier, visited JPL in 1979. http://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/p-21268b.jpeg

Our Milky Way's central black hole has a leak. http://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/hubble_mwayjet_composite.jpg

Scores of baby stars shrouded by dust are revealed in this infrared image of the star-forming region NGC 2174. http://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/pia19836-ngc2174.jpg

This image, captured by the Landsat-8 satellite, shows the view over Western Australia on May 12, 2013. http://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/march2014_1920x1200.jpeg

This image shows the Highfield drill hole, on Vera Rubin Ridge in Gale crater on Mars, made by NASA’s Curiosity rover in its search for rock samples. Just recently, scientists announced that an analysis of rock samples collected by the rover were enriched in carbon 12, a type of carbon that on Earth is associated with biological processes. http://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/martian-drill-hole.png

Retired U.S. Air Force Honorary Brigadier General Charles McGee, left, spoke with NASA astronaut Alvin Drew in 2020. http://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/49493710476_a7f7b04bd5_o.jpeg