The sky on
your birthday.
A Sky Full Of Hydrogen Credit:
Interstellar space is filled with tenuous clouds of neutral hydrogen atoms, or HI. These atoms can switch spin orientations, emitting radio waves with a wavelength of 21 centimeters. This rare event allows astronomers to map the distribution and movement of hydrogen throughout the galaxy.
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 18 December 2012 Hubble snaps NGC 5189 See it as a poster -
Released on 18 December 2024 Close look at a local galaxy See it as a poster -
Released on 18 December 2024 NGC 2566 (HST image) See it as a poster -
Released on 18 December 2012 Massive Star Makes Waves See it as a poster -
Released on 18 December 2023 Uranus widefield view (NIRCam) See it as a poster
In tropical astrology, 18 DEC 1996 falls under Sagittarius (♐). The sign's window runs from 11-22 through 12-21. Sagittarius points straight at the center of the Milky Way, our galaxy's brightest region. The Sun was crossing this region of the sky on 18 DEC 1996.
Questions about December 18, 1996
What space photo was released on December 18, 1996?
NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day for December 18, 1996 was "A Sky Full Of Hydrogen Credit:". It's the card at the top of this page.
What was the Moon's phase on December 18, 1996?
A first quarter moon, about 56% lit.
What day of the week was December 18, 1996?
December 18, 1996 was a Wednesday, day 353 of the 366 days in 1996.
Was there a meteor shower on December 18, 1996?
Yes: the Geminid shower, peaked 4 days ago.
Is it free?
Yes. Seeing, sharing and downloading the card is free, and there's no account to make.