As we welcome the New Year 2024 surrounded by friends and family, there are some who will experience this moment up to 16 times.
These are the 10 astronauts currently conducting scientific missions aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
An astronaut posing outside the International Space Station. (Photo: NASA).
As the world steps into the New Year, they are continuously experiencing the transition from 2023 to 2024 in a uniquely extraordinary way.
It is known that the ISS travels at a speed of approximately 28,000 kilometers per hour, completing an orbit around the Earth every 90 minutes. In other words, instead of the 12 hours of daylight followed by 12 hours of darkness experienced on Earth, astronauts adapt to a new biological rhythm: 45 minutes of daylight followed by 45 minutes of darkness.
This journey means that they will have the opportunity to celebrate the New Year multiple times as they move through different time zones. Specifically, with a stable speed and orbit around the Earth, the crew will witness an average of 16 sunrises and sunsets over a 24-hour period.
This equates to 16 celebrations of the New Year moment. It’s an experience that no one on Earth can replicate.
This extraordinary experience is not just a quirky phenomenon of space travel; it also carries significant scientific meaning.
Specifically, the frequent transition between day and night allows astronauts to conduct experiments in various fields such as microbiology and metallurgy. As a result, this process has provided insights that they cannot gain on Earth, enhancing our understanding of the universe.
While the crew uses Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) to maintain a regular schedule, the continuous shift between day and night also poses challenges in maintaining their biological rhythms.
Nonetheless, the breathtaking views of the Earth’s horizon and the unique experience of celebrating the New Year 16 times are certainly among the most memorable experiences for astronauts.
