Technology

NASA gets into Halloween spirit with pumpkin contest

When they're not launching satellites into space, it turns out the engineers at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory can also put any neighborhood's jack-o'-lantern...

Jory Heckman@jheckmanWFED

October 28, 2016 11:28 am

1 min read

When they’re not launching satellites into space, it turns out the engineers at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory can also put any neighborhood’s jack-o’-lanterns to shame.

Ahead of Halloween next Monday, NASA JPL’s annual pumpkin carving contest showcased some innovative designs. JPL Mechanical engineer Aaron Yazzie tweeted the following photos and videos:

NASA’s Soil Moisture Active Passive mission (NASA SMAP)

A @NASASMAP pumpkin #NASAPumpkin pic.twitter.com/39sbaEO5D1

— Aaron Yazzie (@YazzieSays) October 27, 2016

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JPL celebrates 80th birthday

It just so happens that NASA’s JPL was founded on Halloween in 1936. The following entry combines both celebrations into one.

A "Happy 80th Birthday @NASAJPL " #NASAPumpkin with a birthday card to sign. (JPL was founded on Halloween 1936) pic.twitter.com/FrivYuGQR9

— Aaron Yazzie (@YazzieSays) October 27, 2016

Black hole pumpkin

This pumpkin gets dwarfed by the huge “black hole” apparatus situated on top, but watch as candy slowly gets sucked up by its gravitational pull.

Black hole #NASAPumpkin pic.twitter.com/CEmOSB2csB

— Aaron Yazzie (@YazzieSays) October 27, 2016

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Telescope pumpkin

Flashy as this pumpkin is on the outside, just take a peek inside — surprise, it’s our solar system!

Space Telescope #NASAPumpkin pic.twitter.com/fQzSwnlfKq

— Aaron Yazzie (@YazzieSays) October 27, 2016

Samples from Mars

This mash-up features a classic line from Forrest Gump and a new batch of rock specimens from the surface of Mars.

Mars Sample Return Pumpkin #NASAPumpkin pic.twitter.com/QEjyDsOSQg

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— Aaron Yazzie (@YazzieSays) October 27, 2016