In the vast expanse of space, where time takes on a different dimension, astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) embark on a unique journey through the annual transition of time.
While the rest of us on Earth eagerly anticipate the stroke of midnight to welcome the New Year, these cosmic explorers have the extraordinary privilege of experiencing the onset of the new year not once, twice, or even thrice, but a mind-boggling 16 times New Year countdowns. To subscribe please click tau.id/2iy6f and access our live channel.
As the ISS orbits the Earth at an average speed of about 28,000 kilometers per hour (17,500 miles per hour), completing an orbit approximately every 90 minutes, astronauts find themselves in a time-traveling scenario where days, nights, and, most notably, New Year celebrations come and go in the blink of an eye.
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The phenomenon of experiencing numerous day-night cycles within a single Earth day is a routine part of life for the ISS crew. Instead of the 12 hours of light followed by 12 hours of darkness that we are accustomed to on Earth, astronauts deal with 45 minutes of daylight before plunging into another 45 minutes of darkness.
While the crew uses Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) to maintain a regular schedule, the constant shifts between day and night present challenges for maintaining circadian rhythms (It is the 24-hour internal clock in our brain that regulates cycles of alertness and sleepiness by responding to light changes in our environment).
The awe-inspiring views of Earth’s horizons and the special experience of celebrating New Year’s Eve 16 times are surely among the most memorable aspects of their mission. For them, it is not just a time for personal resolutions, but also a moment to marvel at the wonders of the cosmos and the boundless possibilities that lie ahead.
