The sky on
your birthday.
HET: The New Largest Optical Telescope
The Hobby-Eberly Telescope (HET) in western Texas is an optical telescope with an 11-meter mirror. Its large mirror allows astronomers to peer into the cosmos, observing objects too dim for smaller instruments. HET uses its size to gather light, while space telescopes avoid atmospheric blurring.
Heavy matte paper, about 200 gsm, printed in the United States and shipped free. The card stays free, the print is the thing you keep.
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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 27 December 2025 Apollo 17's Moonship See it as a poster -
Released on 27 December 2012 Curiosity Rover at Rocknest on Mars See it as a poster -
Released on 27 December 2021 Lonely Spiral See it as a poster -
Released on 27 December 2022 The snow-capped peaks of two different volcanoes on the island of Hawaii, Mauna Loa, an active volcano (bottom), See it as a poster -
Released on 27 December 2010 One Million Galaxies See it as a poster
In tropical astrology, 27 DEC 1996 falls under Capricorn (♑). The sign's window runs from 12-22 through 01-19. Capricorn is the dimmest zodiac constellation, but rich in deep-sky objects south of the celestial equator. The Sun was crossing this region of the sky on 27 DEC 1996.
Questions about December 27, 1996
What space photo was released on December 27, 1996?
NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day for December 27, 1996 was "HET: The New Largest Optical Telescope". It's the card at the top of this page.
What was the Moon's phase on December 27, 1996?
A waning gibbous moon, about 95% lit.
What day of the week was December 27, 1996?
December 27, 1996 was a Friday, day 362 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.