Midnight sun
Photo: Petr Kraumann, CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Midnight sun is the sun being above horizon throughout the night, while polar night is when the sun stays below it even in the day. They can be experienced in the Arctic and Antarctica.
UnderstandThe Earth's axis is tilted by 23 degrees in relation to the ecliptic (the plane of its orbit around the Sun) and this causes the seasons.
PlanningTo see the midnight sun, you need to be north of the Arctic Circle or south of the Antarctic circle (above 90-23=67° latitude) at a time close to the summer solstice, June 21 in the northern hemisphere or December 21 in…
PrepareSome of the most interesting photos of the midnight sun use time lapse techniques to get multiple images of the sun as it drops toward the horizon then reverses direction and begins climbing back into the sky.
DestinationsBy definition, the midnight sun and the polar night can be seen in two areas:
CopeWith the sun shining all night long, it is often difficult to sleep properly. It might be a good idea to check with your hotel if there are proper thick curtains in the rooms. Be sure to bring a sleep mask.
Stay safeAs always, looking at the sun is dangerous for your eyes. The sun may not look bright when near the horizon, but it is still capable of giving you blind spots.
Sources and licences
- Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Midnight sun" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Photo: Petr Kraumann, CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons