The sky on
your birthday.
Spring Dust Storms at the North Pole of Mars
This mosaic from the Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft shows spring dust storms near Mars's north pole. As the polar cap, composed of frozen carbon dioxide, begins to thaw, temperature differences create swirling winds. These winds kick up dust, forming choppy clouds. The white areas in the image indicate the remaining frozen carbon dioxide on the planet's surface.
Heavy matte paper, about 200 gsm, printed in the United States and shipped free. The card stays free, the print is the thing you keep.
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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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The Earth on your day The Earth on 24 December 2002 · Persian Gulf See it as a poster -
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 2002 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 2002.
Questions about December 24, 2002
What space photo was released on December 24, 2002?
NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day for December 24, 2002 was "Spring Dust Storms at the North Pole of Mars". It's the card at the top of this page.
What was the Moon's phase on December 24, 2002?
A waning gibbous moon, about 75% lit.
What day of the week was December 24, 2002?
December 24, 2002 was a Tuesday, day 358 of the 365 days in 2002.
Was there a meteor shower on December 24, 2002?
Yes: the Ursid shower, peaked 2 days ago.
What did the Sun and the Earth look like on December 24, 2002?
NASA's Terra satellite photographed the whole Earth that day. It's on this page, next to the card.
Is it free?
Yes. Seeing, sharing and downloading the card is free, and there's no account to make.