When was the first sunrise on Earth? (continued)
Bart Stork
The Netherlands
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The first 鈥渟unrise鈥� was the one seen by the first human who had evolved the cognition that enabled them to think and conclude the sun was rising above the horizon. My best guess is this was between 150,000 and 200,000 years ago, but I stand to be corrected.
Phil Taylor
Broadwell, Oxfordshire, UK
It was fun to read the two distinct groups of earlier replies to this question. According to these, the answer mostly seems to be either to do with when Earth could be called 鈥淓arth鈥� or when the sun was able to penetrate the atmosphere.
As someone who lives in the UK, I can鈥檛 support the second view, as we frequently have days when the sun can鈥檛 be seen through clouds, yet will still say that it has risen and count it as a day.
To answer this question 鈥� or ask a new one 鈥� email lastword@newscientist.com.
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