What is the 'Dateline Theory' which was mentioned in the latest TIGHAR news release? I clicked on the link but my browser said DANGER dont go there!
The link goes to a website put up by Liz Smith, a self-described "science communicator," who proposed The Date Line Theory in 2010. The website is not "dangerous" as far as I know, but it's a good idea to listen to your browser.
As I explained in the news release, The Date Line Theory suggests (without evidence) that Noonan failed to allow for crossing the International Dateline on the way to Howland, resulting in him think the island was 60 miles west of where it really is. When you cross the 180° meridian traveling east, the day suddenly becomes yesterday — very confusing if you're not used to it — but Noonan routinely dealt with crossing the date line when navigating Pan Am Clippers on trans-Pacific flights.