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Space Wallpapers and Nebula Wallpapers

By Smashing Editorial, June 11th, 2008 in Graphics | 101 Comments | Forum

Space wallpapers have something overwhelming, mysterious and somehow enigmatic. They illustrate something which is too far away to be observed and provide us with some insights we wouldn’t be able to gain otherwise. In fact, space wallpapers can be extremely beautiful and hence extremely attractive to our eye. And this is a good reason for putting them on the desktop where “cosmic” motifs can serve as a fresh perspective in the tiresome daily routine.

This post presents over 35 space and nebula wallpapers and related resources. Some of the presented wallpapers are real photos, some of them have been created using Photoshop or Illustrator. In either case the result is pretty impressive and definitely worth a look if you are looking for some “cosmic” inspiration out there.

Just to clarify: according to Wikipedia, a nebula (from Latin: “mist”) is an interstellar cloud of dust, hydrogen gas and plasma. It is the first stage of a star’s cycle. In these regions the formations of gas, dust and other materials ‘clump’ together to form larger masses, which attract further matter, and eventually will become big enough to form stars. The remaining materials are then believed to form planets, and other planetary system objects.

Nebula and Space Wallpapers

Pismis 24-1
Psimis 24-1 is the core of the nebula NGC 6357. Well, nice to know. Source: NASA.

Stellar Spire in the Eagle Nebula (M16)
Appearing like a winged fairy-tale creature poised on a pedestal, this object is actually a billowing tower of cold gas and dust rising from a stellar nursery called the Eagle Nebula. The soaring tower is 9.5 light-years or about 90 trillion kilometres high, about twice the distance from our Sun to the next nearest star. Credit: NASA, ESA, and The Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA).

Preiades Star Cluster
A set of wallpapers from Crestock: together with 12 further wallpapers, this one is available in 8 resolutions. Both wide screen and full screen versions are available for free download.

Red Square Nebula
A symmetric bipolar nebula around MWC 922. Source: Caltech Palomar Observatory. Resolution: 1680×1050.

The Horsehead Nebula
Photo by Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA/NASA).

Greg Martin
Greg Martin has some beautiful designs and illustrations related to cosmic motifs. In various resolutions.

Wallcoo Space Art
60 high-resolution wallpapers illustrating space.

The Orion Nebula
This picture shows the great nebula in the constellation of Orion the Hunter. It is probably the most spectacular of all the objects cataloged by Charles Messier and now called by their `M’ numbers. M42 had been known since the beginnings of recorded astronomy as a star, but it is so outstanding that it was first noted as an extended nebula in 1610, only a year after Galileo’s first use of the telescope. Detailed descriptions started appearing later in the seventeenth century, and it has been a popular target for anyone with a telescope ever since.

Wanderingspace Wallpapers
The growing collection of astronomy-related wallpapers: planets, galaxies and space in high-resolution-wallpapers: 1440×900, 1680×1050 and 2560×1600. Wallpapers for iPhone are available as well. Please get to know them: Neptune, Sun, Jupiter.

Etherlight
“The inside of a nebula - depicting Starbirth.” Designed by antifan-real

Ethereal Bloom
Designed by sumopiggy.

M16 - Eagle Nebula Close
“Appearing like a winged fairy-tale creature poised on a pedestal, this object is actually a billowing tower of cold gas and dust rising from a stellar nursery called the Eagle Nebula”.

Nebulae Wallpaper
“I tried to combine two of my favorited styles - the detailed one with realistic planet surfaces and the colorful nebulae “WTF?” style. Here is the outcome.” Available in 1024×768, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1400×1050, 1600×1200, 1680×1050.

Pierced Heaven
Designed by Yatsuzuka.

Between Realms
“An odd silence resumes after the inexplicable shattering of the universal space continuum; it is during this odd silence, after the shock felt throughout the entire universe, that it becomes evident that a rift has formed, the two realms collaborate in a splash of light & colour, like a dream & yet so real are the liquescent forms of light - it is unlike anything of this realm, as if a pure bliss is breaking through the darkness” Created by j4m3sb0nd.

Reconnaissance
by dilekt

Exotica
Designed by *SamODJ 1680×1050 px

Sky Wallpapers

Wishing I could fly
1280×1024 px. Designed by s3vendays.

Electrical Storm
1600×1200 px.

Peacekeeper Missile Testing

“LG-118A Peacekeeper missile system being tested at the Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands”

Atardecer

Clouds III
Designed by emailandthings

Aurora Sky
Available in resolutions 1024×768, 1152×864, 1280×1024, 1600×1200, 1920×1440, 1280×800, 1440×900, 1680×1050 and 1920×1200.

Out with the Lion, In with the Lamb
“This was the scene after one of the hardest hitting storms I’ve ever been in.”

Sources and Resources

Space wallpapers
offers probably the largest selection of free high quality space wallpapers for your desktop and Playstation Portable.
NASA Wallpapers
NASA site has collections of real stars and nebulas wallpapers in various resolutions.
Inspiration: Stars, Planets and Galaxies
This article will have you grabbing a telescope or heading over to NASA. Learn about the recent rage in space style effects in design. Take a look at artists that have been working in this field long before Apple branded Leopard with such cool space imagery and lighting effects.

Ulises E. is the writer of el50.com (in Spanish), a weblog about design, music, internet and some cool stuff.

Published in Graphics, June 11th, 2008
Tags: space, wallpapers

1.

Thomas Strobl (June 11th, 2008, 8:11 am)

one of the worst smahing posts ever :’(
2.

Cameron (June 11th, 2008, 8:15 am)

Not great, I agree Thomas. Although the Peacekeeper missile shot was still pretty cool, right?

Link [www.cameronqueen.com]
3.

Andy Gongea (June 11th, 2008, 8:30 am)

No - this one is definitely a boring one. Sorry guys.
4.

Rodrigo Piva (June 11th, 2008, 8:31 am)

Amazing!
Link [www.curiosando.com.br]
5.

hdoug (June 11th, 2008, 8:39 am)

I think this post is great. Let the images inspire you.
6.

Curt Simon Harlinghausen (June 11th, 2008, 8:41 am)

We know, you can do better ;-)
7.

Mark (June 11th, 2008, 8:44 am)

I’m going to agree with the not-so-great sentiments. One of the wallpapers (City of Clouds: Brooklyn) looks poorly photoshopped even from thumbnail and the others don’t offer much redemption. No offense webby.
8.

sundaydriver (June 11th, 2008, 8:45 am)

Some of the pictures give a lot of inspiration and I got a new wallpaper for my self :D
9.

RubineBoy (June 11th, 2008, 9:12 am)

Indeed a bit boring guys. You see nebula’s on the net all the time.
10.

THEPIXLPUSHER (June 11th, 2008, 9:22 am)

Go to Link [www.thepixlpusher.com] to get free cosmic nebula/space psd. brushes. Not to mention they are all very large brushes.
11.

Cobalt (June 11th, 2008, 10:10 am)

I don’t agree ! It was a great post, and I got myself a new wallpaper too ^^
12.

Scott (June 11th, 2008, 10:45 am)

I like pictures of the earth from space.
13.

Noelt (June 11th, 2008, 11:01 am)

Nice post, not amazing but as per usual were getting plenty of free content, and all in one place I hasten to add. So keep it up guys.
14.

canute (June 11th, 2008, 11:58 am)

thanks again
15.

Aida (June 11th, 2008, 12:10 pm)

I think you can never have too many space and nebulae wallpapers.

Just a slight correction: I believe the name of the star cluster shown in the third thumbnail is Pleiades.
16.

Tyler Henson (June 11th, 2008, 12:29 pm)

For some reason, I’m digging on the 1st Wallcoo Space Art wallpaper!! Mmm mmm!!! LOL!!
17.

crypta (June 11th, 2008, 12:32 pm)

unuseful things this time… you know better, smash the things
18.

SSV (June 11th, 2008, 12:56 pm)

Damn, this is just boooring. Sorry guys.
19.

nemetral (June 11th, 2008, 12:56 pm)

Space images open your mind to time infinity.
Doesn’t this make you think to your favorite SF novels?
Stop ranting, guys, and appreciate these pics!
20.

Jim (June 11th, 2008, 2:06 pm)

hmm i’m looking forward to the time when i will see anime wallpapers on smashingmagazine :D (start with hentaiplus.tk)
21.

.Lithium (June 11th, 2008, 2:07 pm)

This post was okay. But it’s expected that your readers get disappointed after so many of your awesome posts.

Anyways, keep up the good work.
22.

Albert (June 11th, 2008, 2:21 pm)

taking a more artsy approach with the last few posts. I miss the programming the posts:(
23.

love me CAPS (June 11th, 2008, 2:39 pm)

this one suck!. space theme!?….
BUT U ROCK 24/7 anyway! keep up the good work .
24.

Sara (June 11th, 2008, 3:17 pm)

Sorry to the commenters, but this is one of my favorite posts. I love space pictures and, if you guys were smart enough you would see the other articles about using space effects and imagery in web design. I especially love the planetary wallpaper. Right now I’m using the Plieades paper ! I always love jamesbond’s work too. Beautiful collection.
25.

Mini0n (June 11th, 2008, 4:22 pm)

Nice pics! =)
26.

greven (June 11th, 2008, 4:31 pm)

Cool compilation. :) I also published another Wallpaper list today on my blog: Link [www.paintbits.com]

Keep it up.
27.

eshaman (June 11th, 2008, 5:32 pm)

Fuck all you losers whining about this post being boring, I reckon this is a great collection.

Some really amazing shots and that peacekeeper image is just plain scary.
28.

Jack Caribou (June 11th, 2008, 5:58 pm)

Sky always good! But need logos and plenty intercosmic high market infiltration/inspiration!! Broken spectrum of high laser neon display!
Oh no! Song coming on!

Like the prophet Dr Octagon didst let flow: Disappear again, zapped like an android / Face the fact, I fly on planets every day /My nucleus friend, prepare, I return again /My 7XL is not yet invented! // Earth People! New York and California! Earth people! I was born on Jupiter!
29.

michael (June 11th, 2008, 6:03 pm)

In fact, I don’t like these style too, through I like them years ago.
30.

PW (June 11th, 2008, 6:48 pm)

Very good
31.

gaurav_m (June 11th, 2008, 8:59 pm)

Ooo my GOD!!
Fantastic…!!!
32.

Andris (June 11th, 2008, 10:07 pm)

I’m looking forward to the next post.
33.

Pepa (June 12th, 2008, 12:57 am)

well, I don’t like pics from space, they’re dark and depressive :-o something positive next time, please ;-)
34.

mrvertigo (June 12th, 2008, 2:20 am)

wow smashing magazine goes newage

please let the next post be about the best organic herbal tea bag designs…
35.

Simon (June 12th, 2008, 2:50 am)

You can’t please everyone all of the tiime, gets my vote though guys. :o)
36.

onewayturn (June 12th, 2008, 2:51 am)

here is also my fav space wallpaper site. Very high quality
Link [www.wallpaperstop.com]
and for widescreen spacewallpapers
Link [www.wallpaperstop.com]
37.

Riccardo (June 12th, 2008, 3:21 am)

Well I liked the post - some nice new wallpapers for me!
38.

kayzah (June 12th, 2008, 3:24 am)

I like this post!
Got a new Monitor and was searching for wallpapers :)
39.

Jimbo (June 12th, 2008, 3:25 am)

The sun is great!
40.

Brett (June 12th, 2008, 4:15 am)

Very cheesy, very boring and to be honest they are not a patch on the the new Leopard desktop.
41.

CPG (June 12th, 2008, 4:18 am)

Simplement magnifique. Surtout quand on sait que la plupart des images ne sont pas été retouchées.
Et non les gars : ce n’est pas un tutorial pour dessiner des jolies nébuleuses.
thanx smashing!
42.

AB (June 12th, 2008, 4:57 am)

I like space and enjoy these pictures.
The post is good. Postings can not be awsome all the time.
That would be like asking my kids to come back from school with AAA
all the time.
A is also pretty good. And B is not bad.
43.

Mark Aplet (June 12th, 2008, 7:33 am)

Although I am not a space fanatic I found the images inspiring none the less. To each his own I guess. I appreciate the diversity of this site, and think it’s good to think outside the box a bit. Even have a Link [visual28.com] using some of the images above.
44.

Pedro Gonçalves (June 12th, 2008, 9:00 am)

I could write a whole thesis on how the Leopard’s standard desktop background influenced graphic design since last year’s apple launch. And of course, this post as well…
45.

keobs (June 12th, 2008, 9:46 am)

booooring!!
46.

goa (June 12th, 2008, 11:23 pm)

fantastic!!! :)
47.

Timoffei (June 12th, 2008, 11:52 pm)

thanks for your effort
48.

robert (June 13th, 2008, 1:32 am)

fantastic
49.

filgo (June 13th, 2008, 5:06 am)

great wallpapers.. gotta love those amazing colors of the stars!

thanks a lot!
50.

JR (June 13th, 2008, 8:06 am)

Great images. To people who find them boring: look in the mirror. Also, it’s Io, not Jupiter.
51.

Raman (July 5th, 2008, 11:36 pm)

waiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiisssssssssssssssuuuuuuuuuumm
my mind is rolling…
52.

ragoo (July 13th, 2008, 9:46 am)

great set, but i’m surprised you didn’t pick up this guy’s amateur space pictures:

Link [www.heliographic.net]

Link [www.heliographic.net]

he’s got some amazing shots for an amateur but overall great set you got here
53.

Omicron (September 13th, 2008, 6:11 am)

Good job. Thanks a lot.
54.

Zahrah (nickname: Niloofar) (October 23rd, 2008, 11:49 pm)

Great. They just make me closer to God. Thanks for your nice job.
55.

Nate (October 24th, 2008, 4:02 pm)

“Wishing I could fly” is PWNAGE!! I LOVE IT!! <3
56.

Kaija (November 11th, 2008, 1:36 pm)

WOW people are jerks. These pictures are absolutely beautiful!!
57.

Firefly (November 23rd, 2008, 11:17 pm)

Mediocre and boring people love all things Earthly and are scared of everything outside our planet’s atmosphere…but GIFTED and INTELLIGENT people love the heavens and embrace everything about the wide cosmos that we have yet to discover! No matter what people who have their heads stuck in the sand may say (while the rest of Mankind tentatively takes its first step to the stars), not one word of theirs will matter anyway because we all came from stardust, and to stardust we shall all return…in one way or another. Ad Astra! To The Stars!

Amazing post! Keep up the good work…
58.

wow (December 7th, 2008, 4:05 pm)

just great! :D
59.

Francois (January 4th, 2009, 6:49 pm)

Totally Cool! I really agree with Firefly. Thomas Strobl, Cameron, and all the other folks who hate the heavens really suck. Space can be your best friend or worst enemy. Everyone at SMASHING MAGAZINE is awesome! Love your work!
60.

DR X (January 5th, 2009, 10:18 am)

these are great!! i love the space ones!! stunning!!!

amazing work!!!!! :)
61.

Dinah (January 5th, 2009, 4:21 pm)

though i don’t understand it | i love it~ thx
62.

hitesh (January 21st, 2009, 9:13 pm)

Very - Very Nice that never seen ago
63.

hitesh (January 21st, 2009, 9:14 pm)

very-very nice wallpapers that never seen ago
64.

bj (April 12th, 2009, 4:10 pm)

i think between creativity and reality thin line there is
65.

Pengy Fatwaddle (May 19th, 2009, 8:06 am)

Wow! This is great cool stuff! I love these wallpapers, they are really nice!
66.

Daniela (May 22nd, 2009, 11:39 am)

I love pictures of the earth from space.
67.

Wraith (June 2nd, 2009, 5:32 am)

Cool pics, keep it up! I love nebula shots, and i’m looking forward to adding them to my VERY large photo collection!
68.

flipp rockwell (June 8th, 2009, 8:14 am)

my ex girlfriend sent me the link and i was blown away! space is the only thing i’ve ever want to visit to get as close to god as i can. and whoever says they dont believe in god, i tell them to look at the hubble pictures again. flipp
69.

sad (June 14th, 2009, 11:42 pm)

sad… u people are sad….this is one of another brilliant post..and ur complaining…sad…open ur mind morron