Wonderland: 16 sunrises and as many sunsets every day

On Earth, sunrise and sunset separate the days, nights of a day and set the critical times of the day.

But what about seeing 16 sunrises and as many sunsets in a day? 

See, but that's something that's possible if you're on the International Space Station, not on Earth. For astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS), sunrises and sunsets don't just happen once a day. It happens up to 16 times, and NASA astronaut Sunitha Williams, currently aboard the ISS, is no stranger to this beautiful sight. This is a 'normal' view that has been seen and experienced many times.

In 2013, when Sunita Williams was felicitated at Gujarat University in the presence of then Chief Minister Narendra Modi, she recounted this experience. She said that she was lucky enough to see so many sunrises and sunsets because of her desire and effort to go to space.

Sunita's current return journey from space to Earth was delayed due to delays in the return schedule of the Boeing Starliner spacecraft. Sunita, who is still on the ISS, will return in February 2025. 

Sunitha is accompanied by fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore. They are using this extra time to do important research and explore unique experiences. The universe has a lot to offer them, including the chance to see multiple sunrises and sunsets in 24 hours.

How does this happen?

Orbiting the Earth at a speed of about 28,000 kilometres per hour, the International Space Station completes a full orbit every 90 minutes. This quick trip around Earth means astronauts witness a sunrise or sunset every 45 minutes. 

For each orbit, they move from the dark side of the Earth to the sunlit side again, experiencing up to sixteen times what most people only see twice a day.

How about the day-night cycle in space?

Unlike life on Earth, the day-night cycle in space consists of approximately 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness per day. But it will happen intermittently, not all at once. That means astronauts experience 45 minutes of daylight followed by 45 minutes of darkness repeatedly throughout their day. Day and night will continue to be felt as a continuum.