In October 2010, I published a photo gallery here on TechRepublic of images I found on the various NASA websites. The images range from planets to galaxies and everything in between. The purpose of the photo gallery is to provide a source for free, public domain Windows desktop wallpaper.

Space-themed background and desktop wallpaper have always been my favorite category. For me, at least, the vastness of space and the insignificance of our little corner of it, has been a good source of perspective and introspection. Both are something I need to regain from time to time as the day-to-day frustrations and complications build and overwhelm my more natural state of mind. Serenity now!

I am currently working on the 2011 Geek Gift Guide, and the benefits of a view of deep space has been very helpful. So, I thought I’d reprise the gallery for everyone’s benefit. Perhaps a little perspective and introspection is exactly what you need going into the holiday season. I mean, after all, Thanksgiving is just a couple weeks away.

Check out: NASA images: Desktop wallpaper from outer space

NOTE: The original publication of this Space Desktop Wallpaper Gallery drew several questions that I want to clear up. Click the View Full Size link on the gallery page to get the highest resolution version — that will give you the best image to use as wallpaper. And, no, there will be no zipped download of the images — we are presenting this as a photo gallery. Finally, this is just a sample of the images available on the various NASA websites. If you don’t see an image you like, feel free to go to NASA and pick one out for youself.