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During his stay on the ISS, Shubhanshu Shukla will witness sunrise and sunset every 45 minutes, experiencing rapid day-night transitions as the station orbits Earth
Shubhanshu Shukla and his fellow astronauts use special watches and alarms to keep track of time. (AP/File)
India’s Shubhanshu Shukla is currently on his way to the International Space Station (ISS), with his arrival scheduled for Thursday evening. He lifted off aboard the Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The historic launch marks India’s return to human spaceflight after a 41-year pause.
As excitement builds, curiosity is surging on social media about what he will experience in orbit—from whether it will be day or night aboard the ISS when it’s morning on Earth, to the breathtaking views that await him in space. News18 breaks it all down for you.
What Is The ISS?
The International Space Station is a major scientific laboratory orbiting Earth. It is a collaborative project involving the United States, Russia, Europe, Japan, and Canada. Positioned approximately 400 kilometres above Earth, the ISS orbits the planet at a speed of 28,000 kilometres per hour, completing a full revolution every 90 minutes. This rapid orbit means that astronauts aboard the ISS witness a sunrise and sunset every hour and a half.
The Sun’s Frequent Appearances
To address the curiosity, consider it is 6 am in India and the sun is rising. The ISS, constantly moving, might or might not be positioned above India at that moment. If it is, the sun will be rising there too. However, if the ISS is above a darker part of the Earth, such as the Atlantic Ocean or South America, it will be night. This means there is no fixed day and night cycle on the ISS as on Earth. The sun continuously appears and disappears every 90 minutes.
What Will Shubhanshu Shukla See?
During his time on the ISS, Shubhanshu Shukla will quickly observe the transition between day and night. He will see the sun rise and set every 45 minutes. The view he will witness includes a brilliantly shining sun without any haze, and the Earth’s surface will appear with a blue-green glow. At sunrise, he will see a bright orange line on the Earth’s edge, known as the thermosphere glow. At night, the lights of cities on Earth will be clearly visible, resembling strings of lights.
How Do Astronauts Keep Time?
On the ISS, time is measured according to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), disregarding any local time zones. The crew follows a strict schedule for sleeping, waking, working, and eating. Artificial lighting is used to control light and darkness aboard the station.
What Day And Night Look Like On The ISS?
Due to the sun’s rapid cycle on the ISS, day and night are perceived not by natural light but by scheduled activities and the body’s internal clock. Shubhanshu Shukla and his fellow astronauts use special watches and alarms to keep track of time. To prevent disruption of their biological clocks, a scientific simulation of light and darkness is provided.
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