NASA to share on and out-of-this-world images through official Instagram account

A photo of planet Earth through a Toaster filter or a shot of a rocket launch through a Hefe filter may be coming to Instagram, now that US space agency NASA has opened an account with the image-sharing and filtering app.

From aeronautics to astrophysics, and Earth science to human spaceflight, NASA intends to provide a comprehensive view of the agency by sharing new and historic images and videos with Instagram users.

NASA’s first posts to Instagram will be of the launch of its Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE) from Wallops Island, Virginia. LADEE’s mission is to orbit the moon and gather details about the structure and composition of the lunar atmosphere.

Lauren Worley, NASA press officer, said the agency is constantly looking to expand its social media portfolio to include tools that will best tell NASA’s story of discovery and exploration.

“Instagram has a passionate following of users who are hungry for new and exciting photos,” Worley said.

“We believe we have some of the most engaging images on and off the planet – and we can’t wait to engage with Instagrammers.”