The sky on
your birthday.
The X-Ray Sky
If you could see X-rays, the night sky would look very different. This image shows what the X-ray sky might look like. Our eyes only perceive visible light, but many cosmic objects emit strongly in X-rays, revealing energetic processes not visible otherwise.
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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Released on 2 January 2012 Smoke without fire: a different view of the cigar galaxy See it as a poster -
Released on 2 January 2020 - A view of the Germination of ABI Voyager Barley Seeds in Microgravity CubeLab aboard the International Space Station See it as a poster -
Released on 2 January 2023 The city lights of Mumbai, India, on the coast of the Arabian Sea are pictured from the International Space Station See it as a poster -
Released on 2 January 2018 Unexpected X-Rays from Perseus Galaxy Cluster See it as a poster -
Released on 2 January 2007 Light from the First Stars See it as a poster
In tropical astrology, 2 JAN 1996 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 2 JAN 1996.
Questions about January 2, 1996
What space photo was released on January 2, 1996?
NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day for January 2, 1996 was "The X-Ray Sky". It's the card at the top of this page.
What was the Moon's phase on January 2, 1996?
A waxing gibbous moon, about 87% lit.
What day of the week was January 2, 1996?
January 2, 1996 was a Tuesday, day 2 of the 366 days in 1996.
Was there a meteor shower on January 2, 1996?
Yes: the Quadrantid shower, peaks in 2 days.
Is it free?
Yes. Seeing, sharing and downloading the card is free, and there's no account to make.