MALAWI: Rare Global Daylight Moment to See Nearly Everyone Experience Sunlight or Twilight Simultaneously

By Smile Hamilton, Malawi

A rare astronomical event is expected to occur at around 1:10 PM today, when almost every person on Earth will be experiencing either daylight or twilight at the same time.

Earth Sciences lecturer at the Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST), Agnes Hamisi, says the phenomenon is a result of the Earth’s tilt as it orbits the Sun, creating a unique moment where nearly the entire global population is on the sunlit side of the planet or within twilight.

“It is important to note that this does not mean that 99 percent of the Earth’s surface will be in sunlight. At any moment, only about half of the Earth’s surface faces the Sun,” Hamisi explained.

She said while only one hemisphere of the Earth can receive direct sunlight at any given time, the Earth’s tilt and the distribution of the world’s population make it possible for almost everyone to experience either daylight or twilight simultaneously.

According to Al Jazeera, approximately 6.9 billion people will be in full daylight during the event, while a further 581 million people will experience civil twilight, a period when the sky remains bright enough for most outdoor activities without the need for artificial lighting.

The phenomenon highlights the effects of the Earth’s rotation and axial tilt, offering a rare glimpse into how the planet’s movement influences day and night across different regions of the world.