In the northernmost town of Alaska, called Utqiaġvik (formerly Barrow), the sun sets in mid-November and does not rise again until late January. For 65 long days, the community lives in what is called “polar night”. This strange phenomenon happens because of the Earth’s tilt. During winter, the North Pole tilts away from the sun, leaving places within the Arctic Circle in complete darkness for weeks.But the darkness is not always pitch black. Sometimes the horizon glows faintly in shades of blue, purple, or even pink, giving the town a surreal twilight. Life continues as normal: children go to school, shops stay open, and people carry on their daily routines. Instead of being gloomy, many locals celebrate this unique rhythm of nature. Festivals, community dinners, and light decorations help them stay cheerful.When the sun finally reappears in January, people gather to watch its first golden rays peek above the horizon — a moment filled with joy. Strangely, Utqiaġvik also experiences the opposite in summer: the sun never sets for about 80 days, creating endless daylight. This land of extremes reminds us how diverse and surprising our planet can be..Snow houses in history Indigenous Iñupiat people once built igloos for shelter during hunts, taking advantage of snow’s insulation..Extreme temperatures In winter, Utqiaġvik’s average temperature is around –20 °C, far colder than most freezers..Movies from the dark The polar night inspired films and books, including vampire stories set in 30 days of night.
