The sky on
your birthday.
Comet Lovejoy and the ISS
Comet Lovejoy, with its tails swept back by the solar wind, appeared in the dawn sky on December 24. This image from Argentina shows the comet alongside the southern Milky Way. The bright streak crossing the comet's tails is the International Space Station, much closer to home.
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 Sun on your day The Sun on 31 December 2011 See it as a poster -
The Earth on your day The Earth on 31 December 2011 · Namib Desert See it as a poster -
Released on 31 December 2003 The cluster RDCS1252.9-2927 (overview) See it as a poster -
Released on 31 December 2018 The smoking gun of a newborn star See it as a poster -
Released on 31 December 2012 Don’t trust your eyes See it as a poster -
Released on 31 December 2017 To Fly Free in Space See it as a poster -
Released on 31 December 2024 The Twisted Disk of NGC 4753 See it as a poster
In tropical astrology, 31 DEC 2011 falls under Capricorn (♑). The sign's window runs from 12-22 through 01-19. Capricorn is the dimmest zodiac constellation, but rich in deep-sky objects south of the celestial equator. The Sun was crossing this region of the sky on 31 DEC 2011.
Questions about December 31, 2011
What space photo was released on December 31, 2011?
NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day for December 31, 2011 was "Comet Lovejoy and the ISS". It's the card at the top of this page.
What was the Moon's phase on December 31, 2011?
A first quarter moon, about 38% lit.
What day of the week was December 31, 2011?
December 31, 2011 was a Saturday, day 365 of the 365 days in 2011.
What did the Sun and the Earth look like on December 31, 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.