After Experiencing Polar Night Days, The Sun Rises in America’s Alaskan Town After 65 Days

Posted: January 28, 2022 2:47 pm

Utqiagvik is located over 300 miles north of the arctic circle and at this highest peak of Alaska. The city was formerly known as Barrow, one of the northernmost cities in the US. The city has no roads connecting it to other states. The residents of this city have not experienced the sun for about 65 days, from mid-November until January 22. The sun set for the first time this year on Saturday above the horizon for nearly 50 minutes. This phenomenon is referred to as “polar night.”

During the winter months, the Northern Hemisphere tilts further from the sun, causing uninterrupted darkness in areas close to the North pole. In Utqiagvik, the darkness will last for about two months each year. As the sun is tilting on the axis, all regions in the Northern Hemisphere stay facing further from the sun for days and others for weeks. Some even go for several months.

According to the Washington Post, the south and north poles only have a single sunset and a single sunrise every year. The sun will only rise on the spring equinox and set on the fall equinox in these areas. Residents of the north pole experience daylight between the months of March and September. They experience darkness for about six months in fall and winter and only see the light emanating from the stars, moon, or the aurora Borealis emerald flicker.

Many people would find the darkness in a climate with freezing temperatures unbearably brutal for them. However, in Utquagvik city, the mood is always festive. According to Kirsten Alburg, a resident in the city, they are always looking forward to this time of the year as it is a beautiful time. While others think that it’s too much time without the sun, which is depressing, the residents are always excited about the darkness and prepared to go through it together.

Alburg admits that she misses the polar night as it’s usually a wonderful time of the year. They have the northern lights during this time, but it becomes cold, and with numerous lights in the towns, everything sparkles.

While living in Alaska, Alburg has been documenting how people live in the Arctic by taking photos and videos. She explains that although the residents enjoy the polar night, they must have strategies for helping them survive through the dark months. The only way to get the daily dose of sunlight is through lamps. They also buy vitamin D within the town.

Alburg makes sure to get her vitamins. It’s been hard for her to stay active and get outside because the region regularly experiences freezing temperatures. When the temperatures go 60 below zero, all she can do is put on extra clothing and go out because watching the northern lights is fantastic.

When the sun rises in these areas, it does not mean that the air becomes warmer. It’s actually one of the coldest times. Alburg thinks that it would be fantastic for people to experience polar nights as it’s an extraordinary and memorable time of the year. She adds that when people come together as a community, the polar nights feel like a life metaphor to them during the dark days. To her, everyone goes through a dark time, but when they look for a light, it will be there.

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