66-day polar night begins in Utqiagvik
Utqiagvik, the northernmost town in the United States, enters a period of darkness lasting more than two months as part of its annual polar night cycle
Utqiagvik, Alaska, the northernmost community in the United States, has entered its annual polar night, a natural phenomenon in which the sun does not rise above the horizon for 66 days. Beginning on November 18 and lasting until January 23, this event transforms daily life in the town as residents spend more than two months without direct sunlight.
The polar night is caused by the tilt of the Earth’s axis, which at this latitude pushes the sun completely below the horizon during the winter months. While the town is not plunged into total darkness, residents only experience brief periods of civil twilight, offering a dim glow rather than full daylight. Health experts warn that extended stretches without sunlight can increase the risk of vitamin D deficiency and may impact mental health, encouraging people in Utqiagvik to monitor well-being during this period.
Interestingly, Utqiagvik also witnesses the opposite phenomenon each year, known as the midnight sun, when the community receives continuous daylight from mid-May to mid-August. Despite the extreme swings between sunlight and darkness, the total amount of annual daylight is roughly balanced. Residents have adapted to these cycles, and community spirit and mutual support remain strong throughout the prolonged winter darkness, highlighting the resilience of Arctic life.
