1The Land of the No-Night Sun
Have you ever wanted a bedtime that never came? In places inside the Arctic Circle, the sun stays above the horizon for 24 hours straight! This incredible phenomenon is known as the "Polar Day." From late May to mid-July in parts of Norway, Sweden, and Finland, the sun doesn't set at all. Instead of getting dark, the sky often turns a beautiful mix of pink, gold, and orange, making it look like a sunset that lasts for hours and hours. It is like the world has its own natural nightlight that never turns off, giving kids extra time to explore the great outdoors.
2Why the Sun Stays Awake
This happens because Earth is a little bit "tippy." Our planet sits on an invisible line called an axis, which is tilted at about 23.5 degrees. As Earth orbits the sun, the North Pole leans toward the sun during the summer months. Because of this tilt, the very top of the world stays in the sunlight even as the Earth spins around each day. It is like standing right under a lamp while spinning a basketball—the top of the ball stays bright the whole time! In some northernmost towns, like Longyearbyen in Norway, the sun stays up for over 120 days without a single sunset.
3Life in the Endless Light
Living with 24/7 sunshine sounds like a dream, but it can be a bit confusing for your body! Local families use heavy "blackout" blinds or thick curtains to trick their brains into thinking it is nighttime so they can get some sleep. Even though it is bright out, kids still have to follow their routines and go to bed at their usual time. Animals have to adapt, too. Some Arctic reindeer stop following a strict sleep schedule and just eat whenever they feel hungry! During summer festivals, people celebrate with midnight hikes or even soccer matches, taking advantage of every second of extra light before the dark winter returns.
