Because the earth spins, different parts of the world are facing the sun at different times. For example, when it is morning in the United States, it is late at night in Japan.

If you take a direct flight from New York City to Johannesburg at 9:00pm, you are on a plane for 18 hours. When you arrive the next day, your watch will say 3:00pm. But, because of the time difference, it will be 9:00pm in Johannesburg.

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Text: Matthew Boggie