The sky on
your birthday.
Comet Hale-Bopp and the Dumbbell Nebula Credit and Copyright:
Comet Hale-Bopp, discovered in 1995, made its way through the inner Solar System in 1997. This image from February 11, 1997, shows the comet passing near the Dumbbell Nebula, also known as M27. The Dumbbell Nebula is a planetary nebula, the remnant of a star that shed its outer layers. At the time, Hale-Bopp was bright enough to be seen with the naked eye in the morning sky.
We cannot put this date's photograph on paper at poster size. We can print the nearest public archive plate to your date instead.
See print sizesPrinted, shipped and sold by Zazzle
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.
-
Released on 20 February 2013 The Lobster Nebula seen with ESO’s VISTA telescope See it as a poster -
Released on 20 February 2026 The stellar lifecycle in a nearby spiral See it as a poster -
Released on 20 February 2025 Messier 87 See it as a poster -
Released on 20 February 2017 Astronomical cooperation See it as a poster -
Released on 20 February 2017 ALMA’s hole in the Universe See it as a poster
In tropical astrology, 20 FEB 1997 falls under Pisces (♓). The sign's window runs from 02-19 through 03-20. Pisces holds the location of the spring equinox in the current astronomical era. The Sun was crossing this region of the sky on 20 FEB 1997.
Questions about February 20, 1997
What space photo was released on February 20, 1997?
NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day for February 20, 1997 was "Comet Hale-Bopp and the Dumbbell Nebula Credit and Copyright:". It's the card at the top of this page.
What was the Moon's phase on February 20, 1997?
A waxing gibbous moon, about 96% lit.
What day of the week was February 20, 1997?
February 20, 1997 was a Thursday, day 51 of the 365 days in 1997.
Is it free?
Yes. Seeing, sharing and downloading the card is free, and there's no account to make.
- 1997-01-21 Journey to the Center of the Galaxy Credit:
- 1997-02-13 More Jets From Comet Hale-Bopp Credit:
- 1997-02-19 Mizar Binary Star Credit:
- 1997-02-21 New Eyes for the Hubble Space Telescope Credit:
- 1997-02-27 Comet Hale-Bopp is That Bright Credit and Copyright:
- 1997-03-22 M64: The Sleeping Beauty Galaxy Credit: