The International Date Line Explained: How Time Zones Reset Across the Globe
Where Today Becomes Tomorrow: The Science Behind the International Date Line Discover how the International Date Line works, why it isn’t a straight line, and how it affects global travel, business, and timekeeping. Imagine you’re on a boat in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. You take one step forward, and suddenly, it’s tomorrow . You step back, and it’s yesterday again. Sounds like time travel, right? Well, this is exactly what happens at the International Date Line (IDL) —the invisible boundary where dates change instantly. But what exactly is the International Date Line, and why does it exist? Let’s break it down. What Is the International Date Line? The International Date Line (IDL) is an imaginary line running through the Pacific Ocean that separates one calendar day from the next . It’s located around the 180° longitude , directly opposite the Prime Meridian. The IDL is essential because Earth is divided into...