North of the Arctic Circle, on the day of the winter solstice (around December 21st), the sun never rises.
Explaining Polar Night
The phenomenon where the sun doesn't rise for a period is known as "polar night." It occurs because of the Earth's axial tilt of approximately 23.5 degrees. This tilt causes the North Pole and regions near it to experience extended periods of darkness during the winter months.
- Arctic Circle Definition: The Arctic Circle is an imaginary line around the Earth, located at approximately 66.5 degrees north latitude.
- Winter Solstice: The winter solstice marks the day with the shortest period of daylight in the Northern Hemisphere.
- Duration: The duration of the polar night increases as you move further north. At the North Pole, the sun remains below the horizon for approximately six months.
Examples of Locations
- Alert, Nunavut, Canada: As one of the northernmost permanently inhabited places in the world, Alert experiences extended periods of polar night.
- Barrow (Utqiagvik), Alaska, USA: Located well above the Arctic Circle, Utqiagvik also endures weeks of darkness each winter.
- Northern regions of Norway, Sweden, and Finland: Communities in these regions above the Arctic Circle also experience polar night.
Opposite Phenomenon: Midnight Sun
It's also worth noting the opposite effect: during the summer solstice, areas north of the Arctic Circle experience the "midnight sun," where the sun never sets for a period of time. This is because the Earth's tilt causes the North Pole to be angled towards the sun.
Summary
In short, the area above the Arctic Circle experiences a period each winter, around the winter solstice, where the sun does not rise. This period of darkness increases in duration the further north you travel.
