The sky on
your birthday.
Europa's Surface
The smallest of Jupiter's Galilean moons, Europa, has an icy surface that looks like Earth's sea ice. The dark streaks are likely cracks from Jupiter's immense tidal stresses. This image from the Voyager spacecraft gives us a hint of an ocean of liquid water beneath Europa's frozen surface. It's a tantalizing prospect, making Europa a key target for missions like Galileo.
We cannot put this date's photograph on paper at poster size. We can print the nearest public archive plate to your date instead.
Prints are coming soon. The card is free to save and share in the meantime.
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 13 August 1996 Artemis Corona C2-MIDR See it as a poster -
Released on 13 August 2025 Trapezium: In the Heart of Orion See it as a poster -
Released on 13 August 2019 Supernova Cannon Expels Pulsar J0002 See it as a poster -
Released on 13 August 2018 Galactic treasure chest See it as a poster -
Released on 13 August 2020 Wide-field view of Betelgeuse (ground-based image) See it as a poster
In tropical astrology, 13 AUG 1996 falls under Leo (♌). The sign's window runs from 07-23 through 08-22. Leo is anchored by Regulus, the heart of the Lion, twenty-four parsecs from Earth. The Sun was crossing this region of the sky on 13 AUG 1996.
Questions about August 13, 1996
What space photo was released on August 13, 1996?
NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day for August 13, 1996 was "Europa's Surface". It's the card at the top of this page.
What was the Moon's phase on August 13, 1996?
A new moon, about 1% lit.
What day of the week was August 13, 1996?
August 13, 1996 was a Tuesday, day 226 of the 366 days in 1996.
Was there a meteor shower on August 13, 1996?
Yes: the Perseid shower, peak tonight.
Is it free?
Yes. Seeing, sharing and downloading the card is free, and there's no account to make.