99% of the World to Experience Daylight or Twilight at the Same Time on July 8
A rare astronomical event is set to occur on July 8, when approximately 99% of the world’s population—around 8.2 billion people—will be experiencing either daylight or twilight simultaneously.
The phenomenon is expected to take place at about 11:10 GMT and will last for roughly one minute. During this brief window, nearly all of Earth’s most populated regions will be illuminated by the Sun or covered by twilight, while only a small portion of the planet will remain in complete darkness.
This remarkable alignment is caused by Earth’s 23.5-degree axial tilt combined with the timing of the Northern Hemisphere’s summer. At this time of year, the Northern Hemisphere enjoys longer daylight hours, allowing sunlight to cover a much larger portion of the globe.
Although sunrise and sunset occur every day, this specific alignment—where almost the entire global population is under daylight or twilight at the same moment—is exceptionally uncommon due to the distribution of Earth’s landmass and population.
Astronomers note that the event is a fascinating reminder of how Earth’s rotation, tilt, and seasonal changes influence the daily cycle of light and darkness across the planet.
