The sky on
your birthday.
X-Ray Earth
The Earth glows in X-rays, but it's the aurora, high in the atmosphere, that produce this light. This first X-ray picture of Earth was taken by the orbiting Polar satellite. Energetic ions from the Sun cause aurora and excite electrons in Earth's magnetosphere. These electrons then travel along magnetic field lines and strike the atmosphere, creating the X-ray emission shown in red.
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 30 December 2019 Placed Among the Stars See it as a poster -
Released on 30 December 2025 City lights outline the boot of Italy See it as a poster -
Released on 30 December 2021 The sun shines above the Earth's horizon as the International Space Station orbited 264 miles above the Canadian See it as a poster -
Released on 30 December 2023 The sun's glint beams off a tranquil, blue Atlantic Ocean in this photograph from the International Space Station as it See it as a poster -
Released on 30 December 2011 The Diner at the Center of the Galaxy See it as a poster
In tropical astrology, 30 DEC 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 30 DEC 1996.
Questions about December 30, 1996
What space photo was released on December 30, 1996?
NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day for December 30, 1996 was "X-Ray Earth". It's the card at the top of this page.
What was the Moon's phase on December 30, 1996?
A waning gibbous moon, about 73% lit.
What day of the week was December 30, 1996?
December 30, 1996 was a Monday, day 365 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.