The sky on
your birthday.
ROSAT Explores the X-Ray Sky
Launched in 1990, the ROSAT observatory created this sharp, sensitive image of the X-ray sky. X-rays are photons with about 1,000 times more energy than visible light. The image shows the plane of our Milky Way Galaxy running horizontally, with colors indicating different X-ray energy ranges.
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 8 October 2017 Dark Molecular Cloud Barnard 68 See it as a poster -
Released on 8 October 2026 FRB 20240304B (NIRCam clean image) See it as a poster -
Released on 8 October 2019 The Sun's glint beams off Lake Michigan in this southward view taken from the International Space Station orbiting 253 See it as a poster -
Released on 8 October 2020 Earth Observations See it as a poster -
Released on 8 October 2024 Hurricane Milton is pictured in the Gulf of Mexico See it as a poster
In tropical astrology, 8 OCT 1996 falls under Libra (♎). The sign's window runs from 09-23 through 10-22. Libra is the only zodiac constellation named for an inanimate object, the scales of judgment. The Sun was crossing this region of the sky on 8 OCT 1996.
Questions about October 8, 1996
What space photo was released on October 8, 1996?
NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day for October 8, 1996 was "ROSAT Explores the X-Ray Sky". It's the card at the top of this page.
What was the Moon's phase on October 8, 1996?
A waning crescent moon, about 17% lit.
What day of the week was October 8, 1996?
October 8, 1996 was a Tuesday, day 282 of the 366 days in 1996.
Is it free?
Yes. Seeing, sharing and downloading the card is free, and there's no account to make.