In space, nobody can hear you scream. But you can holler with delight here on Earth, especially if you were at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory last Thursday for its annual pumpkin carving contest. Although, calling it a “carving competition” seems off: It's more like a science fair on steroids.

Hate to break it to you, but that pumpkin you carved for Halloween this year is pretty lame compared to these insanely intricate jack-o-lanterns. And you probably had all night. Participants in JPL's contest only had an hour to build these crazy contraptions. In the time it took you to scrape out the pumpkin's guts, this team turned their gourds into a spinning, flickering amusement park carousel.

NASA/JPL

HBD JPL! The Southern California research depot was founded on October 31, 1936. Bedecked with a cone hat and surrounded by balloon-shaped squashes, this festive birthday pumpkin takes the cake.

NASA/JPL

The JPL teams are just like you and your nerdy friends (except capable of building spacecraft): They love geeky inside jokes. This pumpkin, what we call Saw VIII: Ninja Starshade, is getting its face split by a starlight-blocking spacecraft.

NASA/JPL

How many mechanical engineers does it take to screw in a light bulb? None, they’ll create their own. Thomas Edison would be proud. Bonus points: is that a pumpkin rave in there?

NASA/JPL

Hide your kids, hide your cows. Apparently these Martians prefer abducting livestock over humans. Phew, that’s a relief.

NASA/JPL

These NASA pumpkins are clearly next level. Let them be rocket-fueled inspiration, because you still have time before Monday to carve a masterpiece. Or, maybe just settle for something like this.