24 Hours on Earth

Across our planet, the sun’s changing arc steers the behavior of animals and plants. From the moment it rises, creatures linger, ready to seize the opportunities the sun creates. A resourceful chameleon harnesses solar power to endure, while a family of lemurs receives a morning heat fix. As the day progresses and the sun climbs higher, growing more potent, life must adapt, pushed toward moments of crisis. When the sun sets and its heat and light are extinguished, a night-time world awakens, full of characters who have carved a niche in the darkness. Yet even in the dead of night, the sun is not lost: its rays are reflected in the moon, our 'ghost sun.' We take the rising and setting of the sun for granted, but it is the ultimate game changer. The way the natural world responds will be the difference between success and failure, life or death.