The sky on
your birthday.
NGC 2261: Hubble's Variable Nebula
Hubble's Variable Nebula, NGC 2261, changes its appearance noticeably over just a few weeks. Discovered over 200 years ago, it is a reflection nebula composed of gas and fine dust. The nebula fans out from the star R Monocerotis, which illuminates and shapes it. NGC 2261 is about one light-year across and 2500 light-years away.
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 20 October 2025 NGC 3370 (wide view) See it as a poster -
Released on 20 October 2025 Focusing on NGC 3370 See it as a poster -
Released on 20 October 2019 Pluto at Night See it as a poster -
Released on 20 October 2024 The Niger River flows through the African nation of Mali See it as a poster -
Released on 20 October 2025 Comet Lemmon appears approximately 55.4 million miles from Earth See it as a poster
In tropical astrology, 20 OCT 1999 falls under Libra (♎). The sign's window runs from 09-23 through 10-22. Libra is the only zodiac constellation named for an inanimate object, the scales of judgment. The Sun was crossing this region of the sky on 20 OCT 1999.
Questions about October 20, 1999
What space photo was released on October 20, 1999?
NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day for October 20, 1999 was "NGC 2261: Hubble's Variable Nebula". It's the card at the top of this page.
What was the Moon's phase on October 20, 1999?
A waxing gibbous moon, about 79% lit.
What day of the week was October 20, 1999?
October 20, 1999 was a Wednesday, day 293 of the 365 days in 1999.
Was there a meteor shower on October 20, 1999?
Yes: the Orionid shower, peaks tomorrow.
Is it free?
Yes. Seeing, sharing and downloading the card is free, and there's no account to make.