The sky on
your birthday.
The First Explorer
Sixty years ago, on January 31, 1958, the United States launched its first satellite, Explorer I. This thirty-pound satellite carried instruments to measure temperature, micrometeorite impacts, and electron and ion density in space. Its measurements led to the unexpected discovery of the Van Allen radiation belts, ushering in the era of space exploration for the U.S.
We cannot put this date's photograph on paper at poster size. We can print the nearest public archive plate to your date instead.
Prints are coming soon. The card is free to save and share in the meantime.
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 Sun on your day The Sun on 31 January 2018 See it as a poster -
The Earth on your day The Earth on 31 January 2018 · Nile Delta and Sinai See it as a poster -
Released on 31 January 2012 The Helix Nebula from the VISTA Telescope See it as a poster -
Released on 31 January 2019 Wide-field view of NGC 6752 (ground-based view) See it as a poster -
Released on 31 January 2019 Globular cluster NGC 6752 See it as a poster -
Released on 31 January 2002 Saturn - lord of the rings See it as a poster -
Released on 31 January 2017 Image shows Trona Pinnacles near California's NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center during Jan. 31 Super Blue Blood Moon. Trona Pinnacles is an unusual geological feature of the state's Desert Nationa See it as a poster
In tropical astrology, 31 JAN 2018 falls under Aquarius (♒). The sign's window runs from 01-20 through 02-18. Aquarius is home to the Helix Nebula, the closest planetary nebula to Earth. The Sun was crossing this region of the sky on 31 JAN 2018.
Questions about January 31, 2018
What space photo was released on January 31, 2018?
NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day for January 31, 2018 was "The First Explorer". It's the card at the top of this page.
What was the Moon's phase on January 31, 2018?
A full moon, about 100% lit.
What day of the week was January 31, 2018?
January 31, 2018 was a Wednesday, day 31 of the 365 days in 2018.
What did the Sun and the Earth look like on January 31, 2018?
NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory photographed the Sun that day, and NASA's Terra satellite photographed the whole Earth. Both are 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.