NASA has shared a stunning image of Earth’s terminator, the thin line that separates day and night.
This photo taken from the International Space Station (ISS) orbiting 267 miles above the Pacific Ocean captures the wonderful moment when a new day dawns on our planet.
The ISS, which completes 16 orbits of Earth in 24 hours, provides a unique vantage point to view the terminator, a phenomenon that occurs when the Sun’s rays illuminate Earth’s atmosphere, creating a distinct boundary between night and day. This boundary appears as a thin, glowing line on the horizon, where the blue of the atmosphere meets the golden colors of the sunrise.
View this post on Instagram
Understanding Earth’s Terminator
According to NASA, Earth’s terminator is the dynamic line that separates day and night on our planet. It is the result of Earth’s rotation and its position relative to the sun. It passes over most locations on Earth twice a day, once at sunrise and once at sunset, except for areas near the north and south poles, where there are long periods of darkness or sunlight during the winter or summer months.
How does Earth’s terminator affect/change the weather
The Earth’s axis is tilted by 23.5 degrees, which causes the northern and southern hemispheres to receive different amounts of sunlight throughout the year. NASA says this tilt causes the seasons to change.
During the equinoxes (March and September), the Earth’s axis is perpendicular to its orbit, and the terminator is upright. Both hemispheres receive the same amount of sunlight, resulting in mild temperatures and moderate weather.
The solstices (June and December) occur when the Earth’s tilt is most pronounced, and the terminator is curved. One hemisphere receives more daylight than the other, resulting in the longest and shortest days of the year.
The Earth’s tilt also affects the distribution of sunlight, affecting the length of days and nights. As the terminator moves, it changes the environment and affects natural processes.
The March equinox typically occurs around March 20/21, and the September equinox occurs around September 22/23. The June solstice occurs around June 20/21, and the December solstice occurs around December 21/22. These dates may vary slightly due to Earth’s elliptical orbit and the gravitational pull of other celestial bodies.
