Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Tonight will be the longest night in Earth's history
msn news ^ | Decembe 21, 2014 | Joseph Stromberg

Posted on 12/21/2014 10:48:25 AM PST by LucyT

Today, you might already know, is the winter solstice. That means for people living in the Northern Hemisphere, it's the longest night of the year.

However, as science blogger Colin Schultz points out, tonight will also be the longest night ever. At any location in the Northern Hemisphere, in other words, tonight's period of darkness will be slightly longer than any other, ever — at least, since the planet started spinning right around the time it was first formed some 4.5 billion years ago.

The reason is that the rotation of the Earth is slowing over time. Every year, scientists estimate, the length of a day increases by about 15 to 25 millionths of a second.

(Excerpt) Read more at msn.com ...


TOPICS: Astronomy; History; Science
KEYWORDS: longnight; moresleep; solstice; wintersolstice
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-78 next last
More at Link, with Photo.
1 posted on 12/21/2014 10:48:25 AM PST by LucyT
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: LucyT

Give or take a billion.


2 posted on 12/21/2014 10:50:22 AM PST by Genoa (Starve the beast.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: LucyT; LUV W

3 posted on 12/21/2014 10:51:33 AM PST by KC_Lion (Build the America you want to live in at your address, and keep looking up.- Sarah Palin)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: LucyT

Wow. This is really interesting.

Bookmark.


4 posted on 12/21/2014 10:51:55 AM PST by Gefn (Yes Virginia, I still believe in Santa Claws)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: LucyT

There’s no MSM source I take more seriously than MSNBC.


5 posted on 12/21/2014 10:52:40 AM PST by Steely Tom (Thank you for self-censoring.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: LucyT

Common core no doubt used for this calculation


6 posted on 12/21/2014 10:54:46 AM PST by ronnie raygun (Empty head empty suit = arrogant little bastard)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: LucyT
However, as science blogger Colin Schultz points out

That settles it, because all blogs are true.

7 posted on 12/21/2014 10:55:48 AM PST by humblegunner (Why hello, Captain Trips.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: LucyT

And I’ll still wake up tired.


8 posted on 12/21/2014 10:55:53 AM PST by CrazyIvan (I lost my phased plasma rifle in a tragic hovercraft accident.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: LucyT

AGW’s fault!


9 posted on 12/21/2014 11:02:06 AM PST by BenLurkin (This is not a statement of fact. It is either opinion or satire; or both.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: null and void; Velveeta; Rushmore Rocks; Oorang; Myrddin; MamaDearest; autumnraine; ...

Tonight will be the longest night in Earth's history

10 posted on 12/21/2014 11:06:06 AM PST by LucyT
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: LucyT

Women and minorities to be hardest hit.


11 posted on 12/21/2014 11:06:26 AM PST by dfwgator
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: CrazyIvan

And I’ll still wake up tired.....or a hangover I’ve had for the longest time in history.


12 posted on 12/21/2014 11:14:12 AM PST by Safetgiver ( Islam makes barbarism look genteel.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: LucyT

Wow, 15/millionths on a second more time to get stuff done before Christmas! Thanks Earth!


13 posted on 12/21/2014 11:15:24 AM PST by Lorianne (fed pork, bailouts, gone taxmoney)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: LucyT

I want to know what causes the days to be shortened during the tribulation. It saves lives but just want to know how.


14 posted on 12/21/2014 11:16:30 AM PST by huldah1776
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: CrazyIvan

At least you don’t work a night, like I do.


15 posted on 12/21/2014 11:17:21 AM PST by Duckdog (If it wasn't for NASCAR my TV would have gone out the window years ago!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: dfwgator

Yes of course and white men over the entire northern hemisphere will prosper greatly as a result of their demise:)


16 posted on 12/21/2014 11:30:08 AM PST by PoloSec ( Believe the Gospel: how that Christ died for our sins, was buried and rose again)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: LucyT

The longer the night, the better I see.


17 posted on 12/21/2014 11:36:03 AM PST by The_Media_never_lie (The media must be defeated any way it can be done.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: LucyT

Should one stay up and enjoy it, or take the opportunity for extra sleep?


18 posted on 12/21/2014 11:37:05 AM PST by Rummyfan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Genoa
Give or take a billion.

Or 4.5 billion of them.
19 posted on 12/21/2014 11:45:34 AM PST by Resettozero
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: LucyT

Par for the course, since this has been the longest 6 years in history. ;-)


20 posted on 12/21/2014 11:48:12 AM PST by Velveeta
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-78 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson