Observe Three Dates at the Same Time

Introduction

The concept of Greenwich time and international dateline is quite interesting. When the world is separated into arbitrary lines, such as longitudes and latitudes, a grid is generated. These grids are separated into degrees and times to identify an accurate position on the planet. In comparison to our prior position in the west, we lose a day as we travel east from the Date Line.  Is it possible to observe three days at the same time on Earth? Yes! It’s not only possible, but it happens every day near the dateline. Read on to know more.

International dateline

From the northern pole to the south pole, the Globe is split into arbitrary lines known as meridians. There are 360 longitudinal meridians and 180 latitudinal parallels. 

The focus point of the meridian, known as the Prime Meridian, is located at the Greenwich Observatory in England, resulting in Greenwich Mean Time.

Longitude and Latitude 

The globe is subdivided into horizontal & vertical hypothetical lines. Among these fictitious lines, the latitudinal parallels are horizontally placed, while the longitudes are vertical and parallel to the prime meridian. The longitude is 360 degrees because one circle spans the earth from both sides, spanning the entire earth.

How are longitude and latitudes used to compute time?

A grid is formed when the planet is subdivided into arbitrary lines, which are longitudes and latitudes. They are divided into degrees and time using these grids to determine an exact location on earth. Each degree is divisible into 60 minutes, with each minute subsequently subdivided into 60 seconds. Every degree corresponds to a distance of 69 miles. As we move eastward from the Date Line, we lose a day compared to our previous position in the west. In other words, any site eastern of this line becomes a day ahead of the areas west of it in terms of time. Every minute is 1/60th of a degree, or around one mile if we measure by latitude.

Is it possible to observe three dates at the same time at the IDL?

Is it realistic on Earth to have Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays all at the same time?

Yes.

Not only is it realistic, but it occurs on a daily basis near the International Date Line (IDL).

Let’s look at this through the lens of an activity.

We understand that the 180°meridiann  is zig-zag rather than straight.

On Earth, there are 2 days at the same time.

When it’s a Sunday morning in India, it’s Saturday in the United States of America, and soon there will be a time in  Kiribati islands when it’ll be Monday.

Because the time zones change backwards, it will still be Sunday throughout most parts of the world when that happens.

Due to a time discrepancy of over 24 hours between the 2 extreme time zones, it’ll still be Saturday on Howard Island.

All of this takes place between 10:00 and 11:59 UTC.

At different points on the globe, three separate calendar days exist at the same time.

For example

On May 4 at 10:30 UTC, it is

• 11:30 pm on May 3 in American Samoa
• 6:30 am on May 4 in new york and 
• 12:30 am on May 5 in Kiritimati 

Are you aware that the poles are also referred to as timeless and void of space?

How do the locals find out about the time spent there?

Our planet is tilted, and all longitudinal meridians meet at the poles, as you are aware.

Now, even though the globe rotates, if the Northern Pole is inclined towards the sun but you are located at the Northern Pole, you would see the sun for 24 hours in the same spot.

It indicates that there are no sunrises or sunsets.

Norway is renowned as the “Land of the Midnight Sun” because of this concept.

There will be no morning, afternoon, evening, nor night since there is no sunrise or sunset and the sun is seen even at night.

As a result, it is known as timeless.

There is no space between the Northern and Southern poles because they are only small spots where all longitudes converge.

As a result, it’s also known as “spaceless.”

When scientists travel to the polar regions for studies, they keep track of time on their watches.

The time is not indicated by nature, but by their watch.

They alter their daily routines in accordance with their wristwatches.

The IDL in the polar regions holds no meaning.

Conclusion

Because of the zig-zag orientation of the international dateline, a strange concept becomes true. We not only can observe three dates at the same time on earth but it is something that is real and happens on a daily basis near the international dateline. If we were to live close to that area and travel, we might encounter much confusion and changes in days and dates owing to the location. Read through the article thoroughly and understand the section on how to calculate time using longitudes and latitudes in greater depth. Once that comprehension solidity is formed you will be able to understand this concept clearly.