Greenland, the world’s largest island, has unique light and darkness due to its extreme northern location. Its icy landscapes have unique solar conditions. This position means the sun’s behavior defies common expectations at certain times. Its northern location dictates a dramatic annual cycle of daylight and night.
Understanding the Midnight Sun
The “Midnight Sun” occurs in summer at latitudes north of the Arctic Circle. During this period, the sun remains visible for a full 24 hours, never setting. This continuous daylight means that in northern Greenland, the sun will simply circle the sky without setting, even at nighttime. The sky often has a soft, perpetual twilight glow, not deep darkness.
This extended period of daylight transforms the landscape, allowing continuous activities. The sun’s low angle during the “night” creates long shadows and a golden hue, like sunrise or sunset. This continuous illumination is a feature of Arctic summer. The exact dates vary by latitude, but generally, the Midnight Sun is observable from late April to late August in northern regions. For instance, in Qaanaaq, Greenland’s northernmost town, the sun can remain above the horizon for over three and a half months.
The Earth’s Tilt and Arctic Light
The Earth’s axial tilt is the reason for extreme light in Greenland and polar regions. Our planet is tilted approximately 23.5 degrees on its axis. This tilt means that as the Earth revolves, different parts angle towards or away from the sun.
During the Northern Hemisphere’s summer, the Northern Pole is tilted towards the sun. This causes regions around the North Pole, including much of Greenland, to receive continuous sunlight. Conversely, during the Northern Hemisphere’s winter, the North Pole tilts away from the sun. This results in the sun remaining below the horizon, leading to polar night.
Experience of the Polar Night
The “Polar Night” is when the sun remains below the horizon for 24 hours or more. It occurs in winter in regions north of the Arctic Circle. While the sun does not rise, the sky is not always in complete darkness. Depending on the latitude, there can be several hours of civil twilight each day, with enough light from the sun just below the horizon to make surroundings visible.
This twilight glow has shades of deep blue and purple. The duration of the Polar Night varies with latitude; further north means longer darkness. For example, in Qaanaaq, the polar night can last from late October to mid-February. The landscape is often illuminated by moon, stars, or aurora borealis.
How Latitude Affects Greenland’s Light
The occurrence of the Midnight Sun and Polar Night varies by latitude across Greenland. Only areas north of the Arctic Circle experience 24 hours of continuous daylight or darkness. For instance, towns like Ilulissat experience the Midnight Sun from early June to mid-July and the polar night from late November until early January.
Greenland’s capital city, Nuuk, lies south of the Arctic Circle. While Nuuk experiences very long summer days with up to 21 hours and 20 minutes of daylight in June, and short winter days, the sun still rises and sets every single day. This means Nuuk does not experience the Midnight Sun or the complete Polar Night. Extreme light conditions become more pronounced closer to the Arctic Circle.