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On Oct. 17 the Sun Will Rise Continuously for 36 Hours

I have received email saying that Sun will rise continuously for 36 hours on 17 October 2008? I was curious and I did a search and found out that it’s actually internet rumor. So let’s see whether it’s true or not on October 17!

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.

But you knew that, right? What you’re really wondering is where this strange idea came from.

Obscure origins of an absurd prediction

Based on the available info (of which there is very little, admittedly), my best guess is that it began as a prank, pure and simple; that it originated in India; and that the perpetrator(s) of the hoax put a great deal of effort into disseminating it.

Here’s what I’ve been able to establish:

* During a one-month period from mid-August to mid-September 2008, over 15,000 postings containing the phrase “the sun will rise continuously for 36 hours” appeared on the Internet.

* Nearly all of these postings contained precisely the same wording.

* Nearly all of these postings originated from India.

* As far as I can tell, not a single word about a October 17 being a 36-hour day appeared in any source, online or off, prior to August 2008.

Source : about.com

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Author: Saimatkong

This blog is a platform to share what I love in life: food (eat), travel (play), photography (art) and life (thoughts and ideas). With passion for food, I share my foodie adventures and indulgences here. “There is no love sincerer than the love of food.”

Traveling makes us a better human being as we recognise the similarities and celebrate the differences of cultures between where we travel to and where we come from. “The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.”

Photography do more than just capturing the best moments in our lives; they also help us tell our life stories. “Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever… it remembers little things, long after you have forgotten everything.”

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5 Comments

  1. guess it is jus a rumour then. hw disappointing 🙂

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  2. Heh, when things like that begin to happen, I think it means that the end of days is almost there.

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  3. Well, guys. I dont know if you are aware of the fact that this has happened twice in the history of the planet. (by that i mean the earth stopped turning) It is actually recorded in the Bible both occasions and both these occasions are backed up by the astronomical calander. It is called the missing day! in the calender. Without that missing day the scientists could not plot the path for the galaxy explorer in the 80’s. It is really awesome. and yes everything in the Bible is true. I mean it is the Word of God.

    Just thought ill bless you all…

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