The sky on
your birthday.
“Auroral Corona” is copyrighted by Roi Levi. NASA has permission to show it and we don't, so it isn't on this card.
See it on NASA's siteThe 2025 solar maximum brought spectacular auroras, a trend expected to continue into 2026. This image captures an auroral corona, curtains of light streaming overhead, above Kirkjufell, Iceland. It was caused by a strong geomagnetic storm from intense solar activity, painting the night sky with colors.
The Sun on 1 January 2026
NASA SDO took this picture on 1 January 2026, the day itself, not a release date.
We cannot put this date's photograph on paper at poster size. We can print the nearest public archive plate to your date instead.
See print sizesPrinted, shipped and sold by Zazzle
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.
-
The Sun on your day The Sun on 1 January 2026 See it as a poster -
The Earth on your day The Earth on 1 January 2026 · Eye of the Sahara, Mauritania See it as a poster -
Released on 1 January 2024 NGC 1232: A Grand Design Spiral Galaxy See it as a poster -
Released on 1 January 2018 Ribbons and pearls See it as a poster -
Released on 1 January 2012 To Fly Free in Space See it as a poster -
Released on 1 January 2020 Betelgeuse Imagined See it as a poster -
Released on 1 January 2002 Cygnus X-1 (ground-based image) See it as a poster
In tropical astrology, 1 JAN 2026 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 1 JAN 2026.
Questions about January 1, 2026
What space photo was released on January 1, 2026?
NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day for January 1, 2026 was "Auroral Corona". It's a photographer's copyrighted image, so we link to it on NASA's site and show the Sun or the Earth that day instead.
What was the Moon's phase on January 1, 2026?
A waxing gibbous moon, about 94% lit.
What day of the week was January 1, 2026?
January 1, 2026 was a Thursday, day 1 of the 365 days in 2026.
What did the Sun and the Earth look like on January 1, 2026?
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.