As the world prepares to welcome the arrival of 2024, astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) will experience the transition in a special way – by observing a total of sixteen New Year countdowns.
Due to the space station's high speed and non-stop orbit around Earth, astronauts aboard the ISS witness approximately 16 sunrises and sunsets within a 24-hour cycle. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) says, “In 24 hours, the space station makes 16 orbits of the Earth, crossing 16 sunrises and sunsets.”
Traveling at a speed of eight kilometers per second, the space station completes a full orbit around the Earth approximately every 90 minutes. This rapid journey of the ISS offers astronauts a unique opportunity to welcome the New Year multiple times as they travel through different time zones during this journey.
Experiencing multiple day-night cycles in a single Earth day is a regular occurrence for the astronauts aboard the space station. Unlike Earth's 12-hour day and 12-hour night pattern, astronauts witness 45 minutes of daylight followed by 45 minutes of darkness. This sequential cycle repeats 16 times per Earth day, resulting in a total of 16 sunrises and sunsets during one orbit.
The frequent successive shifts between day and night provide astronauts with the opportunity to conduct experiments in diverse fields such as microbiology and metallurgy, providing insights not possible on Earth.
.over, this unique condition on board the space station also contributes to improving our understanding of this universe.
Despite adhering to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) for a consistent schedule, the constant fluctuation between 45 minutes of day and night poses challenges to maintaining circadian rhythms. Among the most remarkable aspects of their mission are the breathtaking views of Earth's horizon and the extraordinary experience of celebrating New Year's Eve 16 times.
Unlock a world of benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time inventory management, breaking news and a personalized news feed – it's all there, just one click away! Log in now!
View all business news, market news, breaking news events and breaking news updates on DailyExertNews. Download the Mint News app to get daily market updates.
. or less
Published: Dec 31, 2023 8:46 PM IST