Northern Alaska - Polar night is upon us

While we're not quite one month away from the Winter Solstice, a town called Utqiagvik, Alaska - formerly known as Barrow - won't see the Sun until January 22nd.

Our Astro info already shows that polar night is underway in Utqiagvik. As of the afternoon of November 18th and for the next 64 days in Utqiagvik, the sun will not rise above the horizon until Earth's tilt begins to face the sun more as we head toward the summer solstice in June.

Almost 5,000 people live here in Utqiagvik, but they are not the only ones who experience the perpetual darkness for more than 2 months. This polar night occurs for all who live above the Arctic Circle during the northern hemisphere winter.

During the warmer time of year, the midnight sun, or polar day, occurs. The sun does not set at all above the Arctic Circle. This lasts from May to late July, around 82 days for Utqiagvik.

Our Astro info shows exactly what is going on for Utqiagvik this time of year! Check it out in the app.