The sky on
your birthday.
Ring Around the Cluster
It is difficult to hide a galaxy behind a cluster of galaxies. The closer cluster's gravity acts like a huge lens, pulling images of the distant galaxy around its sides and greatly distorting them. This is what is observed in this image from the VLT. The cluster CL2244-02, composed of many yellow galaxies, is lensing the image of a blue-white background galaxy into a huge arc.
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 4 January 2024 Zeta Oph: Runaway Star See it as a poster -
Released on 4 January 2016 Earthset from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter See it as a poster -
Released on 4 January 2025 A red and green aurora shimmers brightly above Ontario, Canada See it as a poster -
Released on 4 January 2025 A red and green aurora borealis above Canada's Gulf of St. Lawrence See it as a poster -
Released on 4 January 2025 An aurora shimmers and dances above the city lights of Canada See it as a poster
In tropical astrology, 4 JAN 1999 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 4 JAN 1999.
Questions about January 4, 1999
What space photo was released on January 4, 1999?
NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day for January 4, 1999 was "Ring Around the Cluster". It's the card at the top of this page.
What was the Moon's phase on January 4, 1999?
A waning gibbous moon, about 96% lit.
What day of the week was January 4, 1999?
January 4, 1999 was a Monday, day 4 of the 365 days in 1999.
Was there a meteor shower on January 4, 1999?
Yes: the Quadrantid shower, peak tonight.
Is it free?
Yes. Seeing, sharing and downloading the card is free, and there's no account to make.