Why Does the Sun Circle Around the Sky at the Poles Instead of Rising and Setting?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why does the Sun circle around the sky at the poles instead of rising and setting?

The Big Idea

At the poles, the Sun circles the sky instead of rising and setting, because Earth's spin does not carry you through day and night there! It travels around the horizon. Let's spin around.

Spin at the Pole

Step one: spin at the pole. Standing at the pole, you simply turn on the spot as Earth spins. You are not carried toward or away from the Sun.

Circling Sun

Step two: the circling Sun. So the Sun moves around the whole sky once a day, at nearly the same height. It does not rise or set.

Slow Spiral

Step three: a slow spiral. Over weeks, the Sun spirals higher in spring. It reaches its highest point at midsummer, then spirals back down.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look! Each day, the Sun makes a circle around you. Each week, the circle gets a little higher or lower. At the North Pole, the Sun never climbs above about 23.5 degrees. You stand in the center of it all.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! At the North Pole, the Sun never climbs higher than about 23.5 degrees. Over a year, its path forms a giant spiral. Shadows also sweep around like the hand of a clock. Never look straight at the Sun. Use a flashlight to practice.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! Stand and hold a flashlight at a low angle. Slowly turn in a circle while the light stays low. That is how the Sun appears to travel around a person at the pole. Never point the flashlight at anyone's eyes.

Outro

At the poles, the Sun circles the sky instead of rising and setting. Science is amazing! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!