The sky on
your birthday.
Giant Cluster Bends, Breaks Images
Many of the bright blue objects in this image are multiple views of a single distant galaxy. This galaxy is aligned behind a giant cluster of galaxies, which acts as a gravitational lens. The cluster's mass, including dark matter, bends the light from the background galaxy, creating several distorted images, similar to looking through a wine glass.
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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The Earth on your day The Earth on 23 August 2009 · Sahara, Algeria See it as a poster -
Released on 23 August 2013 The Tortured Clouds of Eta Carinae See it as a poster -
Released on 23 August 2010 Messier 71: an unusual globular cluster See it as a poster -
Released on 23 August 2020 The Helix Nebula from Blanco and Hubble See it as a poster -
Released on 23 August 2021 Cluster in the Cloud See it as a poster -
Released on 23 August 2025 The Milky Way appears above Earth's bright atmospheric glow See it as a poster
In tropical astrology, 23 AUG 2009 falls under Virgo (♍). The sign's window runs from 08-23 through 09-22. Virgo is the largest zodiac constellation, holding the heart of the Virgo galaxy cluster. The Sun was crossing this region of the sky on 23 AUG 2009.
Questions about August 23, 2009
What space photo was released on August 23, 2009?
NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day for August 23, 2009 was "Giant Cluster Bends, Breaks Images". It's the card at the top of this page.
What was the Moon's phase on August 23, 2009?
A waxing crescent moon, about 7% lit.
What day of the week was August 23, 2009?
August 23, 2009 was a Sunday, day 235 of the 365 days in 2009.
What did the Sun and the Earth look like on August 23, 2009?
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.