The sky on
your birthday.
Mars Climate Orbiter Launches
From atop a Delta II rocket, solid fuel boosters fall away and Earth's limb appears. These pictures were taken during the launch of the Mars Climate Orbiter from Cape Canaveral on December 11. The spacecraft will take about nine and a half months to reach Mars. Once there, it will use aerobraking to settle into orbit.
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 24 December 2018 Globular Cluster NGC 1466 See it as a poster -
Released on 24 December 2025 The sun’s glint beams off the Atlantic Ocean See it as a poster -
Released on 24 December 2012 A wanderer dancing the dance of stars and space See it as a poster -
Released on 24 December 2005 Earthrise See it as a poster -
Released on 24 December 2008 Earthrise See it as a poster
In tropical astrology, 24 DEC 1998 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 24 DEC 1998.
Questions about December 24, 1998
What space photo was released on December 24, 1998?
NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day for December 24, 1998 was "Mars Climate Orbiter Launches". It's the card at the top of this page.
What was the Moon's phase on December 24, 1998?
A first quarter moon, about 32% lit.
What day of the week was December 24, 1998?
December 24, 1998 was a Thursday, day 358 of the 365 days in 1998.
Was there a meteor shower on December 24, 1998?
Yes: the Ursid shower, peaked 2 days ago.
Is it free?
Yes. Seeing, sharing and downloading the card is free, and there's no account to make.