Day and Night
⭐ MasteredEarth spins once every 24 hours. The side facing the Sun has daytime and the other side has night. The Sun appears to rise in the east and set in the west.
Earth spins at about 1,670 km/h at the equator.
All about Day and Night
Earth spins around an imaginary line called its axis, completing one full turn about every 24 hours. The side facing the Sun has daytime, and the side facing away has night. As Earth turns, the Sun appears to rise in the east and set in the west.
Because Earth is round, the Sun lights up only half of it at any moment. Different parts of the world experience day and night at different times, which is why time zones exist.
The Sun does not move across the sky by itself.
When it is morning in one country, it may be night in another. This is why we have time zones, so that clocks match the Sun's position in each region.
🎮 Try it yourself!
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👀 What the animation shows
This animation shows Earth spinning with the Sun shining on one side. Watch how the side facing the Sun has daytime while the other side is in night, and how the light moves around the planet as it turns.
Real-life uses of Day and Night
- Understanding why we have day and night
- Explaining time zones
- Planning when to observe the stars
Frequently asked questions about Day and Night
Does the Sun move around the Earth?
No. It looks as if it moves across the sky because Earth is spinning. Earth orbits the Sun.
Why does the Sun seem to rise in the east?
Earth spins from west to east, so the Sun appears to move from east to west across the sky.
Is a day always 24 hours on every planet?
No. A day on Jupiter is about 10 hours, while a day on Venus is longer than its year.