The sky on
your birthday.
Phi Persei: Double Star
Phi Persei is a binary star system, 720 light-years away, where one star is significantly more massive than its companion. The larger star is rapidly rotating and surrounded by a disk of gas. Interestingly, ten million years ago, the smaller companion was actually the more massive of the two, demonstrating how stars evolve and interact in binary systems.
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.
-
Released on 12 December 2022 Cosmic Smokescreen See it as a poster -
Released on 12 December 2013 Titan North See it as a poster -
Released on 12 December 2016 A closer look at IC 5201 See it as a poster -
Released on 12 December 2018 Digitized Sky Survey image around R Aquarii See it as a poster -
Released on 12 December 2012 The Hubble Ultra Deep Field 2012 See it as a poster
In tropical astrology, 12 DEC 1997 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 12 DEC 1997.
Questions about December 12, 1997
What space photo was released on December 12, 1997?
NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day for December 12, 1997 was "Phi Persei: Double Star". It's the card at the top of this page.
What was the Moon's phase on December 12, 1997?
A waxing gibbous moon, about 94% lit.
What day of the week was December 12, 1997?
December 12, 1997 was a Friday, day 346 of the 365 days in 1997.
Was there a meteor shower on December 12, 1997?
Yes: the Geminid shower, peaks in 2 days.
Is it free?
Yes. Seeing, sharing and downloading the card is free, and there's no account to make.