Polaaripäivän

Polaaripäivä, also known as the midnight sun, is a natural phenomenon occurring in polar regions during the summer months. It refers to the period when the sun remains visible above the horizon for 24 consecutive hours or more. This phenomenon is a direct result of the Earth's axial tilt of approximately 23.5 degrees relative to its orbital plane around the sun.

During the summer in either the Northern or Southern Hemisphere, the pole tilted towards the sun experiences continuous daylight. The duration of the polar day depends on the latitude. At the Arctic Circle and Antarctic Circle, the sun is visible for at least 24 hours on the summer solstice. Further towards the poles, the duration of the polar day increases. At the North Pole and South Pole themselves, the sun remains above the horizon for approximately six months.

Conversely, during the winter months in these regions, polar night occurs, where the sun remains below the horizon for extended periods. Polaaripäivä has significant impacts on the environment and wildlife in polar regions, influencing sleep patterns of animals and the growth of plants. For human inhabitants, it presents unique challenges and opportunities, affecting daily routines and tourism. The visual spectacle of the midnight sun is a major draw for tourists visiting Arctic and Antarctic destinations.