The United states may experience 36 hours of darkness on October 17
Rumors are now spreading online and through text messages that the sun will continuously rise for 36 hours on October 17, 2010 in some parts of the world while the United States may experience 36 hours of darkness. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) official said that this scenario might happen. This rare phenomenon happens every 2,400 years.
According to PAGASA, countries in southern hemisphere experience longer days while those countries located in the Northern hemisphere experience longer nights. During the vernal equinox in March and autumnal equinox in September, the planet experience equal lengths of day and night. After the vernal equinox, countries in the northern hemisphere would observe longer nights while those in the southern hemisphere will experience longer days.
He also added that starting September 24, the number of hours of night would gradual decrease as the country goes below the latitude. A whole day of darkness would be experience by countries located above the 66.5 degrees. Normally the North pole experience six months of darkness every year while the south pole experience six months of daytime. During the summer solstice which falls on June 21 or June 22, countries in northern hemisphere experience the longest day and shortest night of the year. During the Winter solstice countries in the northern hemisphere while have the shortest day and longest night that normally occurs on Dec 21 or 22 each year.
Even though a PAGASA official said that the 36 hours darkness might occur, they have not confirmed that it may happen on October 17.
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