This is not true
Description: Internet rumor
Circulating since: Aug. 2008
Status: False
Summary: Baseless online rumor claims "the sun will rise continuously for 36 hours" on October 17, 2008, turning three regular days into "two big days" -- an event which supposedly only happens once every 2,400 years.
Variant #1:
Email example contributed by Swapnil D., Aug. 27, 2008:
FW: Sun will rise continuously for 36hrs (1.5 days)
Coming October 17, 2008 the sun will rise continuously for 36 hrs (1.5 days). During this time the US countries will be dark for 1.5 days. It will convert 3 days into 2 big days. It will happen once in 2400 yrs. We're very lucky to see this. Forward it to all ur frenz
Variant #2:
As posted online, Aug. 17, 2008:
Coming October 17, the sun will rise continuously for 36hours (1.5 Days) In this time the US countries will be dark for 1.5 Days. It will convert 3 Days to 2 Big Days. It will happen once in 2400 years. We are very lucky to see it. Don't miss it!
Comments: Poppycock. Let's begin by applying some grade-school science to dispel the ridiculous notion that the sun even could "rise continuously for 36 hours."
The reason we perceive the sun as "rising" or "setting" every 24 hours is because the earth rotates on its axis while revolving around the sun. It does not -- and cannot -- stop rotating, nor does its speed appreciably fluctuate (various factors such as climate and seismic events can cause miniscule changes in the earth's rotation speed, but according to scientists all of these combined add up to a differential of no more than one second per year).
In order for a day to last 36 hours, the earth's rotation would either have to cease altogether or slow down dramatically -- neither of which ever happens, let alone once every 2,400 years. It's physically impossible.
This is not true
Description: Internet rumor
Circulating since: Aug. 2008
Status: False
Summary: Baseless online rumor claims "the sun will rise continuously for 36 hours" on October 17, 2008, turning three regular days into "two big days" -- an event which supposedly only happens once every 2,400 years.
Variant #1:
Email example contributed by Swapnil D., Aug. 27, 2008:
FW: Sun will rise continuously for 36hrs (1.5 days)
Coming October 17, 2008 the sun will rise continuously for 36 hrs (1.5 days). During this time the US countries will be dark for 1.5 days. It will convert 3 days into 2 big days. It will happen once in 2400 yrs. We're very lucky to see this. Forward it to all ur frenz
Variant #2:
As posted online, Aug. 17, 2008:
Coming October 17, the sun will rise continuously for 36hours (1.5 Days) In this time the US countries will be dark for 1.5 Days. It will convert 3 Days to 2 Big Days. It will happen once in 2400 years. We are very lucky to see it. Don't miss it!
Comments: Poppycock. Let's begin by applying some grade-school science to dispel the ridiculous notion that the sun even could "rise continuously for 36 hours."
The reason we perceive the sun as "rising" or "setting" every 24 hours is because the earth rotates on its axis while revolving around the sun. It does not -- and cannot -- stop rotating, nor does its speed appreciably fluctuate (various factors such as climate and seismic events can cause miniscule changes in the earth's rotation speed, but according to scientists all of these combined add up to a differential of no more than one second per year).
In order for a day to last 36 hours, the earth's rotation would either have to cease altogether or slow down dramatically -- neither of which ever happens, let alone once every 2,400 years. It's physically impossible.
source: http://urbanlegends.about.com/library/bl_sun_will_rise_continuously.htm