Tonight will be the longest night in Earth's history

msn news ^ | Decembe 21, 2014 | Joseph Stromberg

[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.

[LucyT]

More at Link, with Photo.

[Genoa]

Give or take a billion.

[KC_Lion]

[Gefn]

Wow. This is really interesting.

Bookmark.

[Steely Tom]

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

[ronnie raygun]

Common core no doubt used for this calculation

[humblegunner]

However, as science blogger Colin Schultz points out

That settles it, because all blogs are true.

[CrazyIvan]

And I’ll still wake up tired.

[BenLurkin]

AGW’s fault!

[LucyT]

Tonight will be the longest night in Earth's history

[dfwgator]

Women and minorities to be hardest hit.

[Safetgiver]

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

[Lorianne]

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

[huldah1776]

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

[Duckdog]

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

[PoloSec]

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

[The_Media_never_lie]

The longer the night, the better I see.

[Rummyfan]

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

[Resettozero]

Give or take a billion.

Or 4.5 billion of them.

[Velveeta]

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