The sky on
your birthday.
An Unexpected Flare from the Crab Nebula
The Crab Nebula, a supernova remnant, unexpectedly flares in gamma rays. Discovered over the past few years, this behavior is specific to very high-energy light. A month ago, the Fermi Gamma Ray Space Telescope observed an increase in gamma-ray brightness, becoming about five times its usual level, then fading in a few days. The cause of these flares remains a mystery.
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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 Sun on your day The Sun on 23 May 2011 See it as a poster -
The Earth on your day The Earth on 23 May 2011 · Pilbara, Western Australia See it as a poster -
Released on 23 May 2011 Hubble’s cepheid in the Andromeda Galaxy See it as a poster -
Released on 23 May 2026 Messier 2 See it as a poster -
Released on 23 May 2016 A galactic gathering See it as a poster -
Released on 23 May 2006 Hubble captures a "five-star" rated gravitational lens (ground-based image) See it as a poster -
Released on 23 May 2013 The region around the Ring Nebula (Hubble/LBT composite) See it as a poster
In tropical astrology, 23 MAY 2011 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 23 MAY 2011.
Questions about May 23, 2011
What space photo was released on May 23, 2011?
NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day for May 23, 2011 was "An Unexpected Flare from the Crab Nebula". It's the card at the top of this page.
What was the Moon's phase on May 23, 2011?
A last quarter moon, about 68% lit.
What day of the week was May 23, 2011?
May 23, 2011 was a Monday, day 143 of the 365 days in 2011.
What did the Sun and the Earth look like on May 23, 2011?
NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory photographed the Sun that day, and NASA's Terra satellite photographed the whole Earth. Both are 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.