The sky on
your birthday.
The Pulsar Powered Crab
In 1054 A.D., Chinese astronomers recorded a new star in Taurus, as bright as the full Moon. This was a supernova, the explosion of a massive star, and its remains are now the Crab Nebula. The star's core collapsed to form a pulsar, a rapidly rotating neutron star.
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 31 May 2010 The massive compact star cluster in NGC 3603 and its surroundings See it as a poster -
Released on 31 May 2018 Peculiar galaxy NGC 3256 See it as a poster -
Released on 31 May 2018 Wide-field image of NGC 3256 (ground-based image) See it as a poster -
Released on 31 May 2021 The Eponymous NGC 691 See it as a poster -
Released on 31 May 2026 Eagle Nebula Pillars in Infrared from Hubble See it as a poster
In tropical astrology, 31 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 31 MAY 1996.
Questions about May 31, 1996
What space photo was released on May 31, 1996?
NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day for May 31, 1996 was "The Pulsar Powered Crab". It's the card at the top of this page.
What was the Moon's phase on May 31, 1996?
A full moon, about 99% lit.
What day of the week was May 31, 1996?
May 31, 1996 was a Friday, day 152 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.