The sky on
your birthday.
Diffraction Spikes: When Stars Look Like Crosses
The cross-like patterns around bright stars in this image are called diffraction spikes. They are an artifact of how reflecting telescopes are built. Support rods inside the telescope, which hold the secondary mirror, cause starlight to diffract. This effect scatters light away from its original path, creating these characteristic spikes.
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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The Earth on your day The Earth on 15 April 2001 · Pilbara, Western Australia See it as a poster -
Released on 15 April 2024 The eponymous NGC 3783 See it as a poster -
Released on 15 April 2013 A unique cluster: one of the hidden 15 See it as a poster -
Released on 15 April 2004 Flung Far from Home See it as a poster -
Released on 15 April 2019 Comet or cluster? See it as a poster -
Released on 15 April 2015 Hubble image of the galaxy cluster Abell 3827 See it as a poster
In tropical astrology, 15 APR 2001 falls under Aries (♈). The sign's window runs from 03-21 through 04-19. Aries is the constellation traditionally tied to spring's arrival in the northern hemisphere. The Sun was crossing this region of the sky on 15 APR 2001.
Questions about April 15, 2001
What space photo was released on April 15, 2001?
NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day for April 15, 2001 was "Diffraction Spikes: When Stars Look Like Crosses". It's the card at the top of this page.
What was the Moon's phase on April 15, 2001?
A last quarter moon, about 54% lit.
What day of the week was April 15, 2001?
April 15, 2001 was a Sunday, day 105 of the 365 days in 2001.
What did the Sun and the Earth look like on April 15, 2001?
NASA's Terra satellite photographed the whole Earth that day. It's on this page, next to the card.
Is it free?
Yes. Seeing, sharing and downloading the card is free, and there's no account to make.