The sky on
your birthday.
NGC 4697: X-Rays from an Elliptical Galaxy
Many bright, point-like sources in this Chandra Observatory X-ray image lie within NGC 4697, an elliptical galaxy about 40 million light-years away towards Virgo. Like other normal elliptical galaxies, NGC 4697 is a spherical collection of mainly older, fainter, low-mass stars. It has little star-forming gas and dust compared to spiral galaxies. The luminous X-ray sources, powered by neutron stars and black holes, indicate NGC 4697 had a wilder youth.
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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 17 June 2002 · Colorado Plateau See it as a poster -
Released on 17 June 2025 Rosette Nebula Deep Field See it as a poster -
Released on 17 June 2019 The full moon is pictured as the International Space Station orbited 254 miles above the Pacific Ocean northeast of Guam See it as a poster -
Released on 17 June 2025 The city lights of Southeast Asia and lightning storms streak below the International Space Station See it as a poster -
Released on 17 June 2026 Lunar Occultation of Venus See it as a poster -
Released on 17 June 2019 Spiral, elliptical, irregular See it as a poster
In tropical astrology, 17 JUN 2002 falls under Gemini (♊). The sign's window runs from 05-21 through 06-20. Gemini is named for the twin stars Castor and Pollux, both bright enough to spot without a telescope. The Sun was crossing this region of the sky on 17 JUN 2002.
Questions about June 17, 2002
What space photo was released on June 17, 2002?
NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day for June 17, 2002 was "NGC 4697: X-Rays from an Elliptical Galaxy". It's the card at the top of this page.
What was the Moon's phase on June 17, 2002?
A first quarter moon, about 44% lit.
What day of the week was June 17, 2002?
June 17, 2002 was a Monday, day 168 of the 365 days in 2002.
What did the Sun and the Earth look like on June 17, 2002?
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.