ESA Top Multimedia

Global sea surface temperatures break June records

The average sea surface temperature has passed the records set in June 2023 and June 2024, according to data from the European Union’s Copernicus Earth observation programme.

This animation shows the sea surface temperature anomaly detected in June 2026, compared to the average for the period 1991-2020, with dark red indicating temperatures that exceed the average by up to 6°C.

Data for the animation is provided by the Copernicus Marine Service (CMEMS). Data for 1-29 June 2026 is compared to data for 1991-2020 from a high-resolution, satellite-derived dataset created by the European Space Agency's Climate Change Initiative (ESA-CCI).

The record-breaking temperatures were announced today by Copernicus, in a statement that pinpointed Sunday, 21 June, as the day when sea surface temperatures surpassed the daily averages in past years, with temperatures reaching 21°C – a 0.1 °C increase on previous records.

This global animation indicates a large surface temperature rise in the Mediterranean, the Baltic Sea and off the coasts of Northern Canada, as well as higher ocean surface readings in bands across the Pacific Ocean. The unusually warm surface waters developing across the tropical Pacific Ocean indicate the beginning of El Niño.

This image shows sea surface temperature anomalies in the Mediterranean Sea on 29 June 2026.

Mediterranean Sea breaks June surface heat record

This image shows the sea surface temperature anomaly detected in the Mediterranean Sea on 29 June 2026.

Thousands of planets are hidden in this photo

Millions of stars. Thousands of hidden worlds. One unprecedented view of our galaxy.

Three years since launch, ESA’s Euclid space telescope reveals the Milky Way galaxy’s centre in extraordinary detail: a mosaic of tens of millions of stars captured in just 26 hours.But this is more than an image. It is a map of stellar evolution, from dark clouds where stars are being born to ancient populations packed into the galactic bulge.

And hidden within this dense field of light are planets we cannot see directly.

Through gravitational microlensing, astronomers detect distant worlds by measuring tiny, temporary changes in light as stars pass in front of one another, revealing planets and even their masses through gravity alone.

Euclid, originally built to explore dark matter and dark energy, is now helping open a new window on our own galaxy, and the unseen worlds within it.

Humans changed an asteroid. Now we find out how

On 26 September 2022 humans made our first measurable change to a Solar System object, as NASA’s DART spacecraft impacted the Dimorphos asteroid, shifting its orbit around its larger Didymos parent asteroid.

This grand experiment was a success, but many unknowns remain. What is the precise mass and structure of Dimorphos? How did the impact change the Great-Pyramid-sized asteroid? Has it been left with a giant crater, sent spinning wildly or perhaps reshaped entirely? Finding out will help make the ‘kinetic impactor’ method of planetary defence into a well-understood technique that could be deployed reliably if we ever need it for real.

That’s why ESA’s Hera mission is on its way to Dimorphos to perform a close-up crash scene investigation. Arriving in autumn 2026, the suite of instruments aboard the spacecraft’s topside ‘Asteroid deck’ will perform a detailed survey. Then Hera will release a pair of shoebox-sized ‘CubeSats’ to fly even closer and eventually attempt to land.

This Month at ESA: June 2026

What did space have in store for Europe this month? This June, ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano was named pilot of NASA's Artemis III mission, Ariane 6 set a new European launch record, Proba-3 returned to operations, ESA satellites detected early signs of El Niño, Euclid unveiled its most detailed view yet of the Milky Way's galactic centre, and Sophie Adenot reached the halfway point of her εpsilon mission aboard the International Space Station.

Join us for another month of European space achievements.

Sentinel-1 shows ground displacement after Venezuela earthquakes

The map is an interferogram derived from the comparison of Sentinel-1 data on two dates: on the 18 June before the earthquakes and on 25 June a day after.

From Lab to Orbit | Turning Space Science into Reality | ESA Explores #21

Go behind the scenes at ESA’s European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany, and discover how space experiments are prepared long before they reach orbit. Meet the ECOS team, as Deputy Manager Salvi Verma shares how they work with scientists, engineers and astronauts to turn ideas into real missions aboard the International Space Station. From early planning on the ground to supporting astronauts like ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot during her Epsilon mission, this is how space science becomes reality.

This interview was recorded in March 2026.

Listen on all major podcast platforms.

Keep exploring with ESA Explores.

Solar eclipse: myth vs fact

What really happens during a solar eclipse? ESA astronaut Pablo Álvarez Fernández separates myth from fact, answering common questions and misconceptions about one of nature's most spectacular phenomena.

ESA is getting ready for three European solar eclipses. Follow this page to keep up to date with our planned activities!

Cave training lab

Earth from Space: Desert cropland

These Copernicus Sentinel-2 images show agricultural development in the desert of southern Egypt, close to the border with Sudan.

Europe feels the heat beneath our feet

This image of land surface temperature was captured by the Copernicus Sentinel-3 mission on Wednesday, 23 June.

Europe faces the heat

Europe is facing an intense heatwave, with record temperatures and several cities under red alert. On 23 June, France recorded its hottest June day ever.

This image was captured the same day by the Copernicus Sentinel-3 satellite, which measures land surface temperature from space.

Unlike air temperature, land surface temperature shows how hot the ground itself becomes, often much higher as rock and asphalt absorb heat throughout the day.

Sentinel-3 uses thermal sensors to monitor Earth’s land, oceans, ice, and atmosphere, supporting everything from weather response to long-term climate monitoring.

View image: Europe feels the heat beneath our feet

Learn more about the Sentinel-3 mission

Vacuuming and dusting Columbus

Day 131, orbit 2028 — Being an astronaut on a space mission doesn’t mean you get out of vacuuming or dusting! A few weeks ago, I shared a timelapse of tidying up the European Columbus lab… and here’s another one – this time, it’s all about cleaning

On board the ISS, we pay special attention to the air vents. Every system that pulls in air is equipped with filters that trap dust, and we vacuum those to keep the airflow running smoothly.

So yes… every Saturday, it’s cleaning day: cloths and vacuum out! And I’m sure some of you are wondering: just like everything else up here, each task is scheduled by the planners on the ground.

So to all the kids reading this: astronauts definitely have to put everything back where they found it and to do their chores ‍ , even on board a spaceship!

À bord de l’ISS, on porte une attention particulière au nettoyage des grilles de ventilation. Chaque système qui aspire l’air est doté de filtres qui captent la poussière. Ce sont eux qu’on nettoie avec l’aspirateur pour garder un fonctionnement optimal de la ventilation.

Du coup, tous les samedis, c’est chiffon et aspirateur ! Et je suis sûre que vous vous posez la question : comme pour toutes les activités, ce sont les planificateurs au sol qui mettent cette activité sur notre emploi du temps.

Alors à tous les enfants qui me lisent : être astronaute ‍ , c’est aussi devoir ranger chaque chose à sa place… et faire le ménage à bord de son vaisseau spatial !

ESA’s Euclid captures the Milky Way’s crowded heart

This is the largest high-resolution photo ever made of our Milky Way galaxy’s centre in visible light. It was taken on 23 March 2025 by the European Space Agency’s Euclid space telescope. Packed with more than 60 million stars, this image opens the door for scientists to confirm the existence of any exoplanet found in this region and measure its mass using tiny changes in starlight over time.

The galactic bulge – the central region of our galaxy – is a vast, tightly packed structure filled mainly with old, cooler stars, giving it its characteristic yellow colour. Seen from some 26 000 light-years away, Euclid observes the galaxy’s centre through a complex foreground of material along its line of sight.

This ultra-wide view towards the bulge reveals not only stars, but also seemingly empty dark regions. The dark patches are not devoid of stars: they mark dense, dust-rich molecular clouds that absorb and scatter light from the bulge behind them. As Euclid looks through two of the Milky Way’s spiral arms, it also encounters regions of active star formation, traced by newly formed, massive blue stars. Their intense ultraviolet radiation ionises surrounding hydrogen gas, producing the faint red glow.

Learn more.

Euclid’s view of our galaxy’s bulge (16:9 cutout)

The art of hadrons

Paxi and the European Space Agency

English: Paxi and the European Space Agency

Did you know that space affects your life every single day? Join Paxi to discover all the ways the European Space Agency (ESA) makes life on Earth better every day and explores space, from the satellites above your head to missions looking deep into the universe. Paxi also shares ways you can be a part of Europe's space team.

Greek: Ο Πάξι και ο Ευρωπαϊκός Οργανισμός Διαστήματος

Γνωρίζατε ότι το διάστημα επηρεάζει τη ζωή σας κάθε μέρα; Γίνετε μέλος του Paxi για να ανακαλύψετε όλους τους τρόπους με τους οποίους ο Ευρωπαϊκός Οργανισμός Διαστήματος (ESA) βελτιώνει την καθημερινή ζωή στη Γη και εξερευνά το διάστημα, από τους δορυφόρους πάνω από το κεφάλι σας μέχρι τις αποστολές που κοιτάζουν βαθιά στο σύμπαν. Ο Paxi μοιράζεται επίσης τρόπους με τους οποίους μπορείτε να γίνετε μέλος της διαστημικής ομάδας της Ευρώπης.

German: Paxi und die Europäische Weltraumorganisation

Wusstest du, dass der Weltraum dein Leben jeden einzelnen Tag beeinflusst? Begleite Paxi und entdecke, wie die Europäische Weltraumorganisation (ESA) das Leben auf der Erde jeden Tag verbessert und den Weltraum erforscht – von den Satelliten über deinem Kopf μέχρι hin zu Missionen, die tief ins Universum blicken. Paxi zeigt dir auch, wie du selbst Teil des europäischen Weltraumteams werden kannst.

Spanish: Paxi y la Agencia Espacial Europea

¿Sabías que el espacio afecta a tu vida todos los días? Únete a Paxi για descubrir todas las formas en que la Agencia Espacial Europea (ESA) mejora la vida en la Tierra cada día y explora el espacio, desde los satélites que vuelan sobre tu cabeza hasta las misiones que profundizan en el universo. Paxi también te cuenta cómo puedes formar parte del equipo espacial de Europa.

Dutch: Paxi en het Europees Ruimteagentschap

Wist je dat de ruimte elke dag invloed heeft op je leven? Ga met Paxi op ontdekkingstocht en zie hoe de Europese Ruimtevaartorganisatie (ESA) het leven op aarde elke dag beter maakt en de ruimte verkent, van de satellieten boven je hoofd tot missies die diep in het heelal kijken. Paxi laat je ook zien hoe jij deel kunt uitmaken van het Europese ruimteteam.

Nowegian: Paxi og Den europeiske romfartsorganisasjon

Visste du at verdensrommet påvirker livet ditt hver eneste dag? Bli med Paxi for å oppdage alle måtene den europeiske romfartsorganisasjonen (ESA) gjør livet på jorden bedre hver dag og utforsker verdensrommet, fra satellittene over hodet ditt til oppdrag som ser dypt inn i universet. Paxi deler også måter du kan bli en del av Europas romteam på.

Estonian: Paxi ja Euroopa Kosmoseagentuur

Kas teadsid, et kosmos mõjutab Sinu elu iga jumala päev? Liitu Paxiga, et avastada kõiki viise, kuidas Euroopa Kosmoseagentuur (ESA) muudab elu Maal iga päev paremaks ja uurib kosmost, alates Sinu pea kohal olevatest satelliitidest kuni missioonideni, mis vaatavad sügavale universumisse. Paxi jagab ka viise, kuidas Sina saad olla osa Euroopa kosmosemeeskonnast.

Portuguese: Paxi e a Agência Espacial Europeia

Sabias que o espaço afeta a tua vida todos os dias? Junta-te ao Paxi para descobrires todas as formas como a Agência Espacial Europeia (ESA) melhora a vida na Terra todos os dias e explora o espaço, desde os satélites acima da tua cabeça até às missões que olham bem fundo no universo. O Paxi também partilha formas de como podes fazer parte da equipa espacial da Europa.

Polish: Paxi i Europejska Agencja Kosmiczna

Czy wiesz, że kosmos ma wpływ na Twoje życie każdego dnia? Dołącz do Paxiego, aby odkryć, na jak wiele sposobów Europejska Agencja Kosmiczna (ESA) każdego dnia ulepsza życie na Ziemi i bada kosmos – od satelitów nad Twoją głową po misje zaglądające w głąb wszechświata. Paxi podpowie Ci również, jak możesz stać się częścią europejskiego zespołu kosmicznego.

Romanian: Paxi și Agenția Spațială Europeană

Știai că spațiul îți influențează viața în fiecare zi? Alătură-te lui Paxi pentru a descoperi toate modurile în care Agenția Spațială Europeană (ESA) face viața pe Pământ mai bună în fiecare zi și explorează spațiul, de la sateliții de deasupra capului tău până la misiunile care privesc adânc în univers. Paxi îți arată, de asemenea, cum poți face parte din echipa spațială a Europei.

Slovenian: Paxi in Evropska vesoljska agencija

Ali ste vedeli, da vesolje vsak dan vpliva na vaše življenje? Pridružite se Paxiju in odkrijte vse načine, kako Evropska vesoljska agencija (ESA) vsak dan izboljšuje življenje na Zemlji in raziskuje vesolje, od satelitov nad vašo glavo do misij, ki gledajo globoko v vesolje. Paxi deli tudi načine, kako lahko postanete del evropske vesoljske ekipe.

Hungarian: A Paxi és az Európai Űrügynökség

Tudtad, hogy az űr minden egyes nap hatással van az életedre? Tarts Paxival, és fedezd fel, mi mindennel teszi jobbá az Európai Űrügynökség (ESA) a földi életet nap mint nap, és hogyan kutatja a világűrt a fejed felett elhaladó műholdaktól kezdve egészen az univerzum mélyét fürkésző missziókig. Paxi azt is megmutatja, hogyan válhatsz te is Európa űrcsapatának tagjává.

Czech: Paxi a Evropská kosmická agentura

Věděli jste, že vesmír ovlivňuje váš život každý den? Připojte se k Paximu a zjistěte, jakými všemi způsoby Evropská vesmírná agentura (ESA) každodenně zlepšuje život na Zemi a zkoumá vesmír – od družic nad vašimi hlavami až po mise nahlížející hluboko do vesmíru. Paxi vám také ukáže, jak se můžete stát součástí evropského vesmírného týmu.

Finnish: Paxi ja Euroopan avaruusjärjestö

Tiesitkö, että avaruus vaikuttaa elämääsi joka ikinen päivä? Lähde Paxin mukaan ottamaan selvää kaikista niistä tavoista, joilla Euroopan avaruusjärjestö (ESA) parantaa elämää maapallolla päivittäin ja tutkii avaruutta – aina pääsi yläpuolella olevista satelliiteista aina maailmankaikkeuden syvyyksiin katsoviin tutkimusretkiin. Paxi kertoo myös, miten sinä voit tulla osaksi Euroopan avaruustiimiä.

Danish: Paxi og Den Europæiske Rumorganisation

Vidste du, at rummet påvirker dit liv hver eneste dag? Tag med Paxi for at opdage alle de måder, hvorpå Den Europæiske Rumorganisation (ESA) gør livet på Jorden bedre hver dag og udforsker rummet, lige fra satellitterne over dit hoved til missioner, der kigger dybt ind i universet. Paxi fortæller også, hvordan du kan blive en del af Europas rumteam.

Swedish: Paxi och den Europeiska rymdorganisationen

Visste du att rymden påverkar ditt liv varje dag? Följ med Paxi för att upptäcka alla sätt som Europeiska rymdorganisationen (ESA) gör livet på jorden bättre varje dag och utforskar rymden, från satelliterna ovanför ditt huvud till uppdrag som blickar djupt in i universum. Paxi berättar också hur du kan bli en del av Europas rymdteam.

Italian: Paxi e l’Agenzia Spaziale Europea

Sapevi che lo spazio influenza la tua vita ogni singolo giorno? Unisciti a Paxi per scoprire tutti i modi in care l'Agenzia Spaziale Europea (ESA) rende migliore la vita sulla Terra ogni giorno ed esplora lo spazio, dai satelliti sopra la tua testa alle missioni che guardano nelle profondità dell'universo. Paxi ti spiega anche come puoi entrare a far parte del team spaziale europeo.

French: Paxi et l’Agence spatiale européenne

Saviez-vous que l'espace influence votre vie de tous les jours ? Rejoignez Paxi pour découvrir comment l'Agence spatiale européenne (ESA) améliore le quotidien sur Terre et explore l'espace, des satellites au-dessus de votre tête aux missions qui sondent les profondeurs de l'univers. Paxi vous explique également comment faire partie de l'équipe spatiale européenne.

Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS (NIRSpec IFU)

MTG captures Earth at June solstice

This image of Earth, with the day-night terminator line clearly visible, was captured by the Meteosat Third Generation (MTG) mission

Spectacular austral aurora

This picture was published as part of a set on social media by ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot, with the following caption:

Day 127, orbit 1968 — That aurora was absolutely spectacular… shimmering and dancing beneath us, stretching as far as the eye could see, and so intense it lit up the Station in shades of green.
We’ve seen several since the beginning of the mission, but this one was on a completely different level – far too bright for my usual aurora camera settings.

Moments like these never get old up here; the whole crew suddenly find themselves vying for a good spot at a window!

Jour 127, orbite 1968 – Cette aurore était absolument spectaculaire… Elle ondulait et dansait sous nos pieds, à perte de vue, et sa lumière était si intense qu’elle illuminait toute la Station de reflets verts.

Nous avons eu la joie d’en observer plusieurs depuis le début de la mission, mais celle‑ci – bien trop lumineuse pour mes réglages habituels de photos d’aurores – nous a tous émerveillés !

Des moments comme celui‑ci ne perdent jamais de leur magie, même ici, et tout l’équipage se retrouve à chercher la meilleure place près d’un hublot !

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The Voice in Orbit | Talking to Astronauts in Space | ESA Explores #20

Meet the voices astronauts hear in space. At ESA’s European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany, the EUROCOM team is the link between crew and ground, guiding astronauts like ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot through their daily work on the International Space Station. Join us as EUROCOM expert Andreas Orth explains how complex operations are translated into clear, real-time communication and what it means to be the one voice connecting Earth and orbit.

This interview was recorded in March 2026.

Listen on all major podcast platforms.

Keep exploring with ESA Explores.

Ariane 6 flight VA269: Liftoff captured from the mobile gantry

On 17 June at 09:21 local time (13:21 BST, 14:21 CEST), Ariane 6 flight VA269 soared to orbit from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. 36 satellites for Amazon’s Leo constellation left Earth powered by four P160C-based boosters, the first time these upgraded boosters were used – making this launch the most powerful so far for Europe’s heavy-lift rocket.

Earth from Space celebrates 1000 images

ESA’s Earth from Space series reaches its 1000th image with a return to the vibrant waters of southern Florida, Cuba and the Bahamas – the same region featured in the very first edition in 2004.

Sophie Adenot's mid-mission highlights

Sophie is halfway through the εpsilon mission onboard the ISS, and she has already accomplished so much. Between hundreds of hours of scientific research and thousands of photographs taken from space, she has taken the time to share many unforgettable moments with us — inspiring millions along the way on social media.

Ariane 6 flight VA269 - full replay

On the 17th of June Ariane 6 flight VA269 soared to orbit from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana. The latest generation of Europe's largest and most powerful rocket launched 36 satellites for Amazon's Leo constellation.

The debut of the four new boosters based on the P160C solid-propellant rocket motor allowed 36 satellites to be launched, four more than the two Leo launches Ariane 6 had delivered before.

 Ariane 6 is Europe’s heavy-lift launcher and a key element of ESA’s efforts to ensure autonomous access to space for Europe’s citizens. The new P160C boosters increase considerably performance, payload capacity and competitiveness, allowing for more satellites to be launched, further elevating the future of Europe.

347th ESA Council: Media information session

Watch the replay of the media information session where ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher and outgoing ESA Council Chair Renato Krpoun provide an update on the main outcomes of the 347th ESA Council meeting, held at ESA Headquarters in Paris on 16–17 June 2026.

Revenir