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Astronomy Picture of the Day

nasa.astronomy.apod
Read-onlyIdempotent

Get NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day — daily curated space image or video with expert explanation, dating back to 1995 (NASA APOD)

Input Schema

TableJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
dateNoDate in YYYY-MM-DD format (default: today). Returns the Astronomy Picture of the Day for that date
thumbsNoReturn thumbnail URL for video APOD entries (default false)

Output Schema

TableJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
errorNoPresent only when the call failed. Includes error code, message, request_id, and any provider-specific extras.
resultNoTool response payload. Shape varies per tool — consult the tool description and inputSchema. May be an object, array, string, or number depending on the upstream provider response.

Schema Changelog

Changes observed during successful MCP inspections.

  1. Added
  2. Removed
  3. First observed

TDQS

A3.6/5.0
Behavior3/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

Annotations already mark the tool as read-only, non-destructive, idempotent, and open world. The description adds that it returns a curated image or video with explanation, but does not disclose additional behavioral traits beyond what annotations provide.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness5/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

The description is a single sentence that is front-loaded with key information: the action (Get), resource (NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day), and scope (daily curated, with explanation, since 1995). No wasted words.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness4/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

Given the tool's simplicity, the description adequately covers the main purpose and scope. The output schema exists (not shown), so return values are implicitly documented. Minor omission: no mention of rate limits, but annotations suggest it's open.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters3/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

Schema covers both parameters with descriptions (100% coverage). The description does not add parameter-level details beyond what the schema provides, so a baseline score of 3 is appropriate.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose5/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description clearly states the tool retrieves the NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day, including images or videos with expert explanations, and specifies it dates back to 1995. This differentiates it from other NASA tools like nasa.asteroids.feed or nasa.earth.epic.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines2/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

No guidance on when to use this tool versus other NASA or astronomy tools is provided. There is no mention of alternatives or exclusions.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

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