Does a new day start at midnight or 12 01

A question that has sparked debate among timekeepers and linguists alike!

The answer depends on the context and the definition of "day" being used.

In most countries, a new day starts at midnight (00:00)

In the Gregorian calendar, which is the most widely used calendar in the world, a day is defined as a 24-hour period that begins at midnight (00:00) and ends at 23:59. This means that the clock strikes 12:00 AM (midnight) to mark the beginning of a new day.

In some contexts, a new day starts at 12:01 AM

In the United States, for example, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) defines a day as starting at 12:01 AM, not midnight. This is because many computer systems and databases use a 24-hour clock, and 12:01 AM is considered the start of a new day in these systems.

In astronomy, a new day starts at solar noon

In astronomy, a day is defined as the time it takes the Earth to rotate once on its axis, which is approximately 24 hours. However, astronomers often use a different definition of "day" that starts at solar noon, which is the moment when the sun is highest in the sky. This means that a new day can start at any time of day, depending on the observer's location and the time of year.

In summary

While there may be variations in how a new day is defined, in most cases, a new day starts at midnight (00:00) in the Gregorian calendar. However, in some contexts, such as computer systems and astronomy, a new day may start at 12:01 AM or solar noon, respectively.