The Earth does not have a location where it is always night, but locations within the Arctic and Antarctic Circles experience periods of continuous darkness during their respective winter seasons, a phenomenon known as polar night.
Here's a breakdown:
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Polar Night: This occurs when the sun stays below the horizon for more than 24 hours. The duration of the polar night increases the closer you get to the poles.
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Locations Affected:
- Arctic Circle: Regions north of 66.5° North latitude experience polar night during the Northern Hemisphere's winter (roughly November to January).
- Antarctic Circle: Regions south of 66.5° South latitude experience polar night during the Southern Hemisphere's winter (roughly May to July).
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Not Complete Darkness: Even during polar night, it's not always pitch black. Some twilight or indirect sunlight may be present, especially closer to the beginning and end of the polar night period. The intensity of the darkness depends on how far below the horizon the sun is.
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The Poles: At the North and South Poles, the sun is below the horizon for approximately six months each year, but this includes periods of twilight and faint illumination, meaning even at the poles it is not always completely dark.
| Hemisphere | Circle | Season | Phenomenon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern | Arctic | Winter | Polar Night |
| Southern | Antarctic | Winter | Polar Night |
Therefore, while areas inside the Arctic and Antarctic circles experience extended periods of darkness, the term "always night" is not entirely accurate due to the presence of twilight and the cyclical nature of the seasons.
