Book 18, Question 26
What Is the Midnight Sun?
The midnight Sun is when the Sun stays above the horizon all night long in summer! It happens in places north of the Arctic Circle. Let's soak up some sunshine.
More fun facts
- The midnight sun is when the Sun stays above the horizon for the whole day and night.
- It happens north of the Arctic Circle and south of the Antarctic Circle.
- In Longyearbyen, a town in Svalbard far north of mainland Norway, the midnight sun lasts from April 19 until August 23.
- In Svalbard the midnight sun starts before winter is even over, and it lasts longer than on the Norwegian mainland.
- In the evening, the midnight sun drifts lower in the sky and bathes the land in a golden light.
- This long stretch of constant daylight is also called polar day.
- People in the far north often need blackout curtains to sleep, and even sunglasses at night.
Sources: en.visitsvalbard.com, weather.com
Questions kids ask
Can you see the midnight sun on a cloudy day?
The Sun is still above the horizon behind the clouds, so it stays light all night even when it is cloudy.