The sky on
your birthday.
A Quasar in the Gamma-Ray Sky
The bright object in the center of this false-color image is quasar 3C279, viewed in gamma-rays. These photons have over 40 million times the energy of visible light. Like all quasars, 3C279 is a faint, starlike object in the visible sky. In June 1991, a gamma-ray telescope onboard NASA's Compton Gamma Ray Observatory discovered it was one of the brightest objects in the gamma-ray sky.
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 17 November 2009 Around the nova V445 Puppis See it as a poster -
Released on 17 November 1999 The Crab Nebula in Taurus See it as a poster -
Released on 17 November 2025 Finding star clusters in the Lost Galaxy See it as a poster -
Released on 17 November 2020 A Glowing STEVE and the Milky Way See it as a poster -
Released on 17 November 2021 Twin Rover Twins See it as a poster
In tropical astrology, 17 NOV 1996 falls under Scorpio (♏). The sign's window runs from 10-23 through 11-21. Scorpio is marked by Antares, a red supergiant the size of Mars's orbit. The Sun was crossing this region of the sky on 17 NOV 1996.
Questions about November 17, 1996
What space photo was released on November 17, 1996?
NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day for November 17, 1996 was "A Quasar in the Gamma-Ray Sky". It's the card at the top of this page.
What was the Moon's phase on November 17, 1996?
A first quarter moon, about 40% lit.
What day of the week was November 17, 1996?
November 17, 1996 was a Sunday, day 322 of the 366 days in 1996.
Was there a meteor shower on November 17, 1996?
Yes: the Leonid shower, peak tonight.
Is it free?
Yes. Seeing, sharing and downloading the card is free, and there's no account to make.