--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Because we were orbiting the earth faster…" description: "\"Because we were orbiting the earth faster than earth spins on its axis, we went around the earth 16 times a day, an earth day, which meant 16 periods o..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e3/helen-sharman-20410_darkness_because-we-were-orbiting-the-earth-faste_3204061.jpg" --- # Because we were orbiting the earth faster than earth spins… ![“Because we were orbiting the earth faster than earth spins on its axis, we went around the earth 16 times a day, an earth day, which meant 16 periods of lightness and 16 periods of darkness in 24 hours. Every so often you'd look towards the earth, and often you could see lightness and darkness…” quote by Helen Sharman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e3/helen-sharman-20410_darkness_because-we-were-orbiting-the-earth-faste_3204061.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e3/helen-sharman-20410_darkness_because-we-were-orbiting-the-earth-faste_3204061.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e3/helen-sharman-20410_darkness_because-we-were-orbiting-the-earth-faste_3204061.jpg) > “Because we were orbiting the earth faster than earth spins on its axis, we went around the earth 16 times a day, an earth day, which meant 16 periods of lightness and 16 periods of darkness in 24 hours. Every so often you'd look towards the earth, and often you could see lightness and darkness together, and dawn and sunset were spectacular.” [Helen Sharman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-sharman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Orbiting faster than Earth’s spin creates multiple sunrises and sunsets daily, highlighting the fleeting nature of light and darkness and inspiring awe. **In simple terms:** Multiple sunrises and sunsets daily. Key Takeaway Appreciate fleeting moments of light. Themes space orbit light darkness perspective Mood wonderful inspiring Type reflective scientific When to use this quote - night photography - travel planning - mindfulness practice - creative writing Key Concepts relativity temporal perception wonder Questions to Reflect On - How does rapid day‑night cycle affect perception? - What can we learn from space about time? A Different Perspective May overlook practical challenges of space life. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Darkness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/darkness/) [Dawn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dawn/) [Day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/day/) [Earth day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/earth-day/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Sunset](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sunset/) [Sunsets](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sunsets/) ## Related quotes > [Every day is Earth Day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/every-day-is-earth-day/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Shouldn't every day be Earth Day? I mean, what are our options?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-fallon/shouldn-t-every-day-be-earth-day-i-mean-what-are-our-options/) [Jimmy Fallon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-fallon/) > [As cheesy as it sounds, truly every day is Earth Day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashlan-gorse-cousteau/as-cheesy-as-it-sounds-truly-every-day-is-earth-day/) [Ashlan Gorse Cousteau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashlan-gorse-cousteau/) > [“It's so strange how one day you can be on this earth, and the next day not.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-j-palacio/it-s-so-strange-how-one-day-you-can-be-on-this-earth-and-the-next-day/) [R.J. Palacio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-j-palacio/) > [Every day is Earth Day, and I vote we start investing in a secure climate future right now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackie-speier/every-day-is-earth-day-and-i-vote-we-start-investing-in-a-secure/) [Jackie Speier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackie-speier/) > [Live as though it were your last day on earth. Some day you will be right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-anthony/live-as-though-it-were-your-last-day-on-earth-some-day-you-will-be/) [Robert Anthony](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-anthony/) > [For us, every day is Earth Day. It's like with Women's Day recently, I said, "Every day is women's day - we're women!" It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-cornejo/for-us-every-day-is-earth-day-it-s-like-with-women-s-day-recently-i/) [Maria Cornejo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-cornejo/) > [“The Peace Panda Says...Every day should be Earth Day!If we don't take care of mother earth, She won't take care of us!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-pina/the-peace-panda-says-every-day-should-be-earth-day-if-we-don-t-take/) [Timothy Pina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-pina/) > [Human consensus does not generate reality. Were it able to do so, the Sun would have taken to orbiting the Earth some time ago.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ursula-goodenough/human-consensus-does-not-generate-reality-were-it-able-to-do-so-the/) [Ursula Goodenough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ursula-goodenough/) > [Our astronauts, when they go orbiting around the earth, they actually come back slightly younger than a twin that they would have on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michio-kaku/our-astronauts-when-they-go-orbiting-around-the-earth-they-actually/) [Michio Kaku](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michio-kaku/) > [“The Earth spins once a day. It goes around the sun once a year. The moon goes round the earth every 28 days. Your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-meikle/the-earth-spins-once-a-day-it-goes-around-the-sun-once-a-year-the/) [William Meikle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-meikle/) > [As the earth spins through space, a view from above the North Pole would encompass most of the wealth of the world - most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-commoner/as-the-earth-spins-through-space-a-view-from-above-the-north-pole/) [Barry Commoner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-commoner/) > [“The earth spins further from help. Beyond us the heart monitors go on, the fluorescent lights buzz, the commentators shout, the casino leaves fall…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hannah-lillith-assadi/the-earth-spins-further-from-help-beyond-us-the-heart-monitors-go-on/) [Hannah Lillith Assadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hannah-lillith-assadi/) > [Each black hole spins on its axis like the Earth spins. That spin creates two vortexes of twisting space, somewhat like vortexes in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kip-thorne/each-black-hole-spins-on-its-axis-like-the-earth-spins-that-spin/) [Kip Thorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kip-thorne/) > [Every day on Earth is another chance to get it right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-earle/every-day-on-earth-is-another-chance-to-get-it-right/) [Steve Earle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-earle/) ## More by Helen Sharman > [I'm not going into infinity. I'm going into low earth orbit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-sharman/i-m-not-going-into-infinity-i-m-going-into-low-earth-orbit/) [Helen Sharman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-sharman/) > [While we've taken seeds into space, and astronauts on the International Space Station have eaten lettuce they've grown, we haven't produced fruit in space,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-sharman/while-we-ve-taken-seeds-into-space-and-astronauts-on-the/) [Helen Sharman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-sharman/) > [The advice I was given was just to make sure you look out of the window occasionally. It's something no astronaut ever gets tired…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-sharman/the-advice-i-was-given-was-just-to-make-sure-you-look-out-of-the/) [Helen Sharman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-sharman/) > [Britain should definitely be part of a Mars mission.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-sharman/britain-should-definitely-be-part-of-a-mars-mission/) [Helen Sharman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-sharman/) > [I get standing ovations at meetings when I say Britain should be involved in human spaceflight. Unfortunately, that goal has been blocked by a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-sharman/i-get-standing-ovations-at-meetings-when-i-say-britain-should-be/) [Helen Sharman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-sharman/) > [It's very exciting that people could actually live on another planet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-sharman/it-s-very-exciting-that-people-could-actually-live-on-another-planet/) [Helen Sharman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-sharman/) > [During launch, the outside of the rocket is covered in a protective fairing, so we couldn't see outside, but as soon as that was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-sharman/during-launch-the-outside-of-the-rocket-is-covered-in-a-protective/) [Helen Sharman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-sharman/) > [I don't classify myself as the first space tourist because I wasn't as though I paid and had a holiday out of it -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-sharman/i-don-t-classify-myself-as-the-first-space-tourist-because-i-wasn-t/) [Helen Sharman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-sharman/) > [We should be pushing our boundaries. After all, we Britons are explorers and adventurers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-sharman/we-should-be-pushing-our-boundaries-after-all-we-britons-are/) [Helen Sharman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-sharman/) > [From space, the earth appears predominantly blue; the clouds are brilliant white. Surprisingly, you don't see much green, although Ireland looks green, and so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-sharman/from-space-the-earth-appears-predominantly-blue-the-clouds-are/) [Helen Sharman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-sharman/) > [You don't go into space just for the science. Economically, it is not worth it. I think the reason we should be in space…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-sharman/you-don-t-go-into-space-just-for-the-science-economically-it-is-not/) [Helen Sharman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-sharman/) > [The view from space is really very special. From the window, you can look back at the Earth and see the stars around you.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-sharman/the-view-from-space-is-really-very-special-from-the-window-you-can/) [Helen Sharman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-sharman/) > [I would much rather fly on Soyuz than the shuttle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-sharman/i-would-much-rather-fly-on-soyuz-than-the-shuttle/) [Helen Sharman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-sharman/) > [I operated a periscopic TV camera so the commander, Anatoly Artsebarsky, could establish where we were heading. It is real teamwork on Soyuz.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-sharman/i-operated-a-periscopic-tv-camera-so-the-commander-anatoly/) [Helen Sharman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-sharman/) > [I hope there will be continued U.K. investment in human spaceflight to enable Britain to benefit from space travel in the longer term and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-sharman/i-hope-there-will-be-continued-u-k-investment-in-human-spaceflight-to/) [Helen Sharman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-sharman/) [Explore all 31 Helen Sharman quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-sharman/) ## More Darkness quotes > [“Narrative cannot sustain formlessness any more than light can sustain darkness - it is the antithesis of formlessness, and so it can never truly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-krauss/narrative-cannot-sustain-formlessness-any-more-than-light-can-sustain/) [Nicole Krauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-krauss/) > [“Wait here, wait here!" he cried and jumped up and began to run for help toward a cluster of lights he saw in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flannery-o-connor/wait-here-wait-here-he-cried-and-jumped-up-and-began-to-run-for-help/) [Flannery O'Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flannery-o-connor/) > [Strange - is it not? That of the myriads who Before us passed the door of Darkness through, Not one returns to tell us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/strange-is-it-not-that-of-the-myriads-who-before-us-passed-the-door/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [When you're scared - and I mean really scared, not just hearing a noise in the night, or standing toe to toe with someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-gordon-smith/when-you-re-scared-and-i-mean-really-scared-not-just-hearing-a-noise/) [Alexander Gordon Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-gordon-smith/) > [Clear moments are so short. There is much more darkness. More ocean than terra firma. More shadow than form.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-zagajewski/clear-moments-are-so-short-there-is-much-more-darkness-more-ocean/) [Adam Zagajewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-zagajewski/) > [I even see the cinema itself as a woman, with its alternation of light and darkness, of appearing and disappearing images](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/federico-fellini/i-even-see-the-cinema-itself-as-a-woman-with-its-alternation-of-light/) [Federico Fellini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/federico-fellini/) > [I guess he'll have to figure out someday that he is supposed to have this dark side, that it is part of what it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/i-guess-he-ll-have-to-figure-out-someday-that-he-is-supposed-to-have/) [Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/) > [“I promise to respect and protect your aloneness, knowing that everything created must have its period of darkness: child and bulb, poem and personality.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-morrow-lindbergh/i-promise-to-respect-and-protect-your-aloneness-knowing-that/) [anne morrow lindbergh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-morrow-lindbergh/) > [The beauty of darkness is how it lets you see.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adrienne-rich/the-beauty-of-darkness-is-how-it-lets-you-see/) [Adrienne Rich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adrienne-rich/) > [“Even in darkness your lips taste of sunshine”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francesca-lia-block/even-in-darkness-your-lips-taste-of-sunshine/) [Francesca Lia Block](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francesca-lia-block/) > [“Defy me not for gleam can only shine in my existence" said Darkness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/defy-me-not-for-gleam-can-only-shine-in-my-existence-said-darkness/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“What does he look like? The question was soft- tentative. I knew who he meant. I interlaced my fingers through Rhysand's and squeezed tightly.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/what-does-he-look-like-the-question-was-soft-tentative-i-knew-who-he/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [The dream of coming back is becoming a reality. A lot of the uncertainty about the future has been cleared up. A lot of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tagliabue/the-dream-of-coming-back-is-becoming-a-reality-a-lot-of-the/) [Paul Tagliabue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tagliabue/) > [“Life is like coffee, the darker it gets, the more it energizes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ankita-singhal/life-is-like-coffee-the-darker-it-gets-the-more-it-energizes/) [Ankita Singhal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ankita-singhal/) > [Twinking tears in a sea of black. Soft light in a world of darkness. Tiny wishes in a place of dreams. Do you see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-gentile/twinking-tears-in-a-sea-of-black-soft-light-in-a-world-of-darkness/) Nicole Gentile [Browse all 8,219 Darkness quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/darkness/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Because we were orbiting the earth faster than earth spins on its axis, we went around the earth 16 times a day, an earth day, which meant 16 periods of lightness and 16 periods of darkness in 24 hours. 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