<p dir="ltr">High atop the Himalaya, <a href="http://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/media/mount-everest/?ar_a=1">Mount Everest</a> towers over its neighbors in this picture taken by <a href="http://eo1.gsfc.nasa.gov/new/extended/">NASA's</a> <a href="http://science.nasa.gov/missions/terra/">EOS-1 spacecraft</a>. In Nepal, the mountain is called Sagarmatha, which means "mother of the universe." (See: "<a href="http://images.nationalgeographic.com/wpf/media-content/photos/000/667/custom/66769_327x245-cb1367267725.jpg">The State of Everest: The Climbers Weigh In</a>.")</p><p class="MsoNormal">The snowy scene disguises the origins of the Himalaya, built of marine limestone that crumpled upward to form mighty mountains in the collision of Asia with the Indian subcontinent, some 40 million years ago. </p>

Everest Reigns Atop the Himalaya

High atop the Himalaya, Mount Everest towers over its neighbors in this picture taken by NASA's EOS-1 spacecraft. In Nepal, the mountain is called Sagarmatha, which means "mother of the universe." (See: "The State of Everest: The Climbers Weigh In.")

The snowy scene disguises the origins of the Himalaya, built of marine limestone that crumpled upward to form mighty mountains in the collision of Asia with the Indian subcontinent, some 40 million years ago.

Photograph by Jesse Allen and Robert Simmon, NASA Earth Observatory

Best New Space Pictures: "Super Earth," Solar Storm, More

A snowstorm hammers the U.S., the sun rages on New Year's Day, and a "Super Earth" gets a closer look in this week's best space pictures.

Read This Next

What is Mercury retrograde?
Why the northern lights are showing up in unexpected places
What is the summer solstice? Here’s what you need to know.

Go Further

Subscriber Exclusive Content

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet