The sky on
your birthday.
Destruction of Comet C/2026 A1 (MAPS)
Comet C/2026 A1 MAPS plunged towards the Sun, where it was expected to make its closest approach this week. This video, compiled from 40 hours of data, shows the comet's final moments before it was destroyed by the intense solar environment. Such close observations require a coronagraph, an instrument that blocks the Sun's direct light.
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 9 April 2026 See it as a poster -
The Earth on your day The Earth on 9 April 2026 · Italy and the Adriatic See it as a poster -
Released on 9 April 2003 Really hot stars See it as a poster -
Released on 9 April 2012 Tight and bright See it as a poster -
Released on 9 April 2012 Blue Straggler Stars in Globular Cluster M53 See it as a poster -
Released on 9 April 2018 A colossal cluster See it as a poster -
Released on 9 April 2014 The planetary nebula Abell 33 captured using ESO's Very Large Telescope See it as a poster
In tropical astrology, 9 APR 2026 falls under Aries (♈). The sign's window runs from 03-21 through 04-19. Aries is the constellation traditionally tied to spring's arrival in the northern hemisphere. The Sun was crossing this region of the sky on 9 APR 2026.
Questions about April 9, 2026
What space photo was released on April 9, 2026?
NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day for April 9, 2026 was "Destruction of Comet C/2026 A1 (MAPS)". It's the card at the top of this page.
What was the Moon's phase on April 9, 2026?
A last quarter moon, about 53% lit.
What day of the week was April 9, 2026?
April 9, 2026 was a Thursday, day 99 of the 365 days in 2026.
What did the Sun and the Earth look like on April 9, 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.