The sky on
your birthday.
The Iron Sun
This image of the Sun, taken on May 16, was recorded using ultraviolet light from eleven-times ionized iron. The EIT camera on the SOHO spacecraft captured this view of the Sun's atmosphere, where temperatures exceed 2 million degrees Fahrenheit. At these extreme temperatures, frantic collisions strip eleven electrons from iron atoms.
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 21 May 2025 Wide-field view of the region of the sky around a ‘cosmic joust’ See it as a poster -
Released on 21 May 2015 NGC 6240: Merging Galaxies See it as a poster -
Released on 21 May 2014 The colourful star cluster NGC 3590 See it as a poster -
Released on 21 May 2025 City lights dot the southern United States' landscape See it as a poster -
Released on 21 May 2016 The familiar "boot" shape of the county of Italy stands out in this nighttime image with sparkling city lights reaching See it as a poster
In tropical astrology, 21 MAY 1996 falls under Gemini (♊). The sign's window runs from 05-21 through 06-20. Gemini is named for the twin stars Castor and Pollux, both bright enough to spot without a telescope. The Sun was crossing this region of the sky on 21 MAY 1996.
Questions about May 21, 1996
What space photo was released on May 21, 1996?
NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day for May 21, 1996 was "The Iron Sun". It's the card at the top of this page.
What was the Moon's phase on May 21, 1996?
A waxing crescent moon, about 14% lit.
What day of the week was May 21, 1996?
May 21, 1996 was a Tuesday, day 142 of the 366 days in 1996.
Is it free?
Yes. Seeing, sharing and downloading the card is free, and there's no account to make.