The sky on
your birthday.
Southern Lights and Shuttle Glow
This photo from the Space Shuttle Discovery's STS-39 mission shows the Southern Lights, or Aurora Australis, against a backdrop of stars. The faint glow around the shuttle's engines comes from charged plasma. Discovery's mission in April 1991 focused on studying celestial objects, auroras, and the low Earth orbit environment.
We cannot put this date's photograph on paper at poster size. We can print the nearest public archive plate to your date instead.
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Released on your day
Space pictures released on your month and day in other years, or a few days either side. Each one is sharp enough to print as a poster.
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Released on 6 May 2019 Distant and ancient See it as a poster -
Released on 6 May 2008 Galaxies Collide in NGC 3256 See it as a poster -
Released on 6 May 2020 Wide-field view of the region of the sky where HR 6819 is located See it as a poster -
Released on 6 May 2024 The city lights of Bangkok,Thailand, and its suburbs contrast with the green lights of the fishing boats on the Gulf See it as a poster -
Released on 6 May 2024 City lights illuminate the country of China to the East China Sea in this nighttime photograph from the International See it as a poster
In tropical astrology, 6 MAY 1996 falls under Taurus (♉). The sign's window runs from 04-20 through 05-20. Taurus holds the Pleiades star cluster and Aldebaran, the red giant that marks the eye of the Bull. The Sun was crossing this region of the sky on 6 MAY 1996.
Questions about May 6, 1996
What space photo was released on May 6, 1996?
NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day for May 6, 1996 was "Southern Lights and Shuttle Glow". It's the card at the top of this page.
What was the Moon's phase on May 6, 1996?
A waning gibbous moon, about 88% lit.
What day of the week was May 6, 1996?
May 6, 1996 was a Monday, day 127 of the 366 days in 1996.
Was there a meteor shower on May 6, 1996?
Yes: the Eta Aquariid shower, peak tonight.
Is it free?
Yes. Seeing, sharing and downloading the card is free, and there's no account to make.