Imagine looking outside at midnight and seeing the Sun still shining!
This happens in some parts of the world. It is called the Midnight Sun or polar day.
The phenomenon occurs in regions within the Arctic and Antarctic Circles during summer. Places such as northern Norway, Alaska, Finland and parts of Canada experience it.
But why does it happen?
The Earth is tilted on its axis by about 23.5 degrees. During summer, one of the Earth’s polar regions tilts towards the Sun. As a result, the Sun can remain above the horizon for 24 hours or more.
The closer you get to the North or South Pole, the longer this continuous daylight can last.
At the North Pole, the Sun can remain above the horizon for about six months. The South Pole experiences the same phenomenon during the opposite part of the year.
Amazing, isn’t it? Follow WeGoTalk for more fascinating discoveries!
Sources:
- timeanddate – What Is the Midnight Sun?
- NASA – Seasons on Earth
- NOAA – Daylight and Darkness at the North Pole
