Book 7, Question 84
Why Do the Poles Stay Cold?
The poles stay cold because sunlight reaches them at a low angle, and they spend months in darkness. Weak, slanted sunlight plus long polar nights is a recipe for a freezer belt. Weak angle plus long dark equals deep chill!
More fun facts
- Far from the equator, sunlight hits at a slant, so its energy is spread over a larger area.
- Fresh snow absorbs only about 10 percent of the Sun's energy. Most ground and plants absorb 80 percent or more.
- Snow and ice reflect sunlight back to space, which helps keep the poles cold.
- Around the June solstice, the South Pole region gets 24 hours of night.
- Earth's oceans and winds carry heat from the equator toward the poles.
Sources: NOAA, NASA, NASA Science, NASA Science, NASA Science
Questions kids ask
Why does snow keep the poles cold?
Fresh snow reflects most sunlight, absorbing only about 10 percent of its energy.
Does the South Pole get sunlight in June?
No. Around the June solstice it has 24 hours of night.