On Earth, we experience disruptions to our circadian rhythm due to abnormal work schedules or traveling between time zones. Now think of astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) who orbit Earth every 90 minutes. That means crew members see 16 sunrises each day.
The frequent change from darkness to light severely disrupts the body’s ability to adjust to a natural circadian rhythm – the body’s regulator for sleep and wake cycles based on a 24-hour schedule – and that can mean loss of sleep.
That’s why a new NASA study is investigating astronauts’ sleep, or lack thereof. As explained in the video above, the researchers are trying to find out how different light spectra can be used to affect sleep in space.
The results should have significance for us on Earth, too. Down here on our planet, as in space, circadian misalignment and sleep deficiency can lead to significant, fatigue-induced errors and even chronic disease.
Read more about the new sleep study from NASA
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View of ISS astronaut Koichi Wakata strapped into his sleeping bag in his sleep station Image via NASA
Bottom line: Sixteen sunrises a day aboard ISS! A new NASA study is investigating how different light spectra can be used to regulate astronauts’ sleep patterns.
from EarthSky http://ift.tt/2jtVyf6
On Earth, we experience disruptions to our circadian rhythm due to abnormal work schedules or traveling between time zones. Now think of astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) who orbit Earth every 90 minutes. That means crew members see 16 sunrises each day.
The frequent change from darkness to light severely disrupts the body’s ability to adjust to a natural circadian rhythm – the body’s regulator for sleep and wake cycles based on a 24-hour schedule – and that can mean loss of sleep.
That’s why a new NASA study is investigating astronauts’ sleep, or lack thereof. As explained in the video above, the researchers are trying to find out how different light spectra can be used to affect sleep in space.
The results should have significance for us on Earth, too. Down here on our planet, as in space, circadian misalignment and sleep deficiency can lead to significant, fatigue-induced errors and even chronic disease.
Read more about the new sleep study from NASA
Enjoying EarthSky? Sign up for our free daily newsletter today!
View of ISS astronaut Koichi Wakata strapped into his sleeping bag in his sleep station Image via NASA
Bottom line: Sixteen sunrises a day aboard ISS! A new NASA study is investigating how different light spectra can be used to regulate astronauts’ sleep patterns.
from EarthSky http://ift.tt/2jtVyf6
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