The sky on
your birthday.
Herschel's Cygnus X
This infrared view from the Herschel Space Observatory shows Cygnus X, one of the closest massive star-forming regions in our galaxy. The image spans about 6 by 2 degrees across the plane of the Milky Way. The massive star cluster Cygnus OB2 is already present here, its energetic winds and radiation clearing out regions near the bottom center of the field. Herschel's instruments detect the longer infrared wavelengths emitted by dust and gas.
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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 17 May 2012 See it as a poster -
The Earth on your day The Earth on 17 May 2012 · Eye of the Sahara, Mauritania See it as a poster -
Released on 17 May 2018 The glowing spiral arms of NGC 6744 See it as a poster -
Released on 17 May 2018 Messier 66: member of the Leo Triplet See it as a poster -
Released on 17 May 2018 Wave of star formation in Messier 96 See it as a poster -
Released on 17 May 2010 A clump of galaxy misfits See it as a poster -
Released on 17 May 2022 The sun's glint beams off the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Angola as the International Space Station orbited 264 See it as a poster
In tropical astrology, 17 MAY 2012 falls under Taurus (♉). The sign's window runs from 04-20 through 05-20. Taurus holds the Pleiades star cluster and Aldebaran, the red giant that marks the eye of the Bull. The Sun was crossing this region of the sky on 17 MAY 2012.
Questions about May 17, 2012
What space photo was released on May 17, 2012?
NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day for May 17, 2012 was "Herschel's Cygnus X". It's the card at the top of this page.
What was the Moon's phase on May 17, 2012?
A waning crescent moon, about 13% lit.
What day of the week was May 17, 2012?
May 17, 2012 was a Thursday, day 138 of the 366 days in 2012.
What did the Sun and the Earth look like on May 17, 2012?
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.