MCP TypeScript NASA Server

# Example Queries and Use Cases This guide provides example queries you can use with the NASA MCP Server in Claude Desktop or other MCP clients. ## Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD) ### Today's Picture ``` "Show me today's NASA astronomy picture" ``` ### Historical Pictures ``` "Get the NASA astronomy picture from July 20, 1969" "Show me the APOD from New Year's Day 2024" "What was the astronomy picture on my birthday: March 15, 2023" ``` ### Specific Events ``` "Show me the APOD from when the James Webb telescope's first images were released" "Get the astronomy picture from the day of the last solar eclipse" ``` ## Mars Rover Photos ### Latest Photos ``` "Show me recent photos from the Perseverance rover" "Get the latest Mars photos from Curiosity" ``` ### Specific Cameras ``` "Show me navigation camera photos from Perseverance on sol 1000" "Get front hazard camera images from Curiosity" "Find mast camera photos from the Perseverance rover" ``` ### Specific Dates ``` "Get Mars rover photos from Perseverance on January 1, 2024" "Show me what Curiosity saw on its 1000th Martian day" ``` ### Comparative Queries ``` "Compare photos from different cameras on Perseverance from the same sol" "Show me how the Martian landscape looks from Curiosity's perspective" ``` ## Near Earth Objects (NEOs) ### Current Threats ``` "Are there any potentially hazardous asteroids passing Earth this week?" "Show me all near-Earth objects for the next 7 days" "What asteroids are closest to Earth today?" ``` ### Specific Time Periods ``` "Check for asteroids passing Earth in August 2024" "List all NEOs between Christmas and New Year" "What space rocks passed by Earth last month?" ``` ### Hazard Assessment ``` "Find the largest asteroids passing Earth this month" "Show me only the potentially hazardous asteroids this week" "What's the closest asteroid approach this year?" ``` ## Space Weather (DONKI) ### Solar Flares ``` "Check for solar flares in the last week" "Were there any major solar flares this month?" "Show me X-class solar flares from the past 30 days" ``` ### Coronal Mass Ejections ``` "Check for CMEs heading toward Earth" "Show me coronal mass ejections from the last week" "Were there any Earth-directed CMEs recently?" ``` ### Geomagnetic Storms ``` "Check for geomagnetic storms in the past month" "Is there any space weather that might affect satellites?" "Show me all space weather events this week" ``` ### Multiple Event Types ``` "Give me a complete space weather report for the last week" "Check for all types of solar activity this month" "What space weather events happened during the last aurora?" ``` ## Earth Imagery (EPIC) ### Recent Images ``` "Show me recent full Earth images from space" "Get the latest EPIC Earth imagery" "Show me Earth from a million miles away" ``` ### Enhanced Images ``` "Get enhanced Earth images from EPIC" "Show me color-enhanced views of Earth" ``` ### Specific Dates ``` "Show me how Earth looked from space on January 1, 2024" "Get EPIC images from the last full moon" "What did Earth look like from space during the eclipse?" ``` ## Combined Queries ### Daily Space Report ``` "Give me a complete space report: today's APOD, any hazardous asteroids, recent solar flares, and latest Mars photos" ``` ### Educational Queries ``` "I'm teaching about Mars - show me recent rover photos and explain what we're seeing" "Help me understand space weather - check for recent solar flares and explain their impact" ``` ### Research Queries ``` "I'm researching asteroid threats - show me all potentially hazardous NEOs this month with their sizes and distances" "I need data on solar activity - get all solar flares and CMEs from the past week" ``` ## Tips for Effective Queries ### Be Specific with Dates - Use YYYY-MM-DD format for best results - Specify date ranges when looking for events ### Use Proper Names - Rover names: Perseverance, Curiosity, Opportunity, Spirit - Camera codes: NAVCAM, FHAZ, RHAZ, MAST - Event types: FLR, CME, GST ### Set Reasonable Limits - Photos: Request 5-10 for manageable responses - Date ranges: Keep to 7-30 days for space weather - NEOs: Weekly ranges work best ### Combine Related Queries - "Show me Mars photos and explain what the rover is investigating" - "Get today's APOD and tell me about the astronomical object" ## Advanced Use Cases ### Monitoring Space Weather Set up regular checks: ``` "Check for solar flares and CMEs every morning" "Alert me to any potentially hazardous asteroids this week" ``` ### Educational Content Create learning materials: ``` "Create a presentation about Mars using recent rover photos" "Explain today's APOD in simple terms for students" ``` ### Research Support Gather data for analysis: ``` "Compile all X-class solar flares from 2024" "Track asteroid 2024 XY's approach to Earth" ``` ## Error Handling If queries fail, try: 1. Checking date formats (YYYY-MM-DD) 2. Verifying rover/camera names 3. Reducing date ranges 4. Simplifying the query ## Rate Limiting If you encounter rate limits: - Wait an hour (for DEMO_KEY) - Get your own free NASA API key - Reduce query frequency