Nasa has shared a captivating image taken from the International Space Station (ISS) that showcases the Earth's terminator over the Pacific Ocean. This phenomenon represents the moving line that separates day and night, providing a unique perspective of our planet.
The ISS, orbiting at 267 miles above the Earth, captures the breathtaking moment when a new day dawns, illustrating the thin, glowing line where the blue of the atmosphere meets the golden hues of sunrise.
Understanding the Earth's terminator is crucial as it results from the Earth's rotation and its position relative to the Sun. This line passes through most locations on Earth twice daily, marking sunrise and sunset, except in polar regions.
The Earth's axial tilt of 23.5 degrees leads to seasonal variations in sunlight distribution, affecting the length of days and nights. During equinoxes, both hemispheres receive equal sunlight, while solstices result in significant differences in daylight hours.