Polarnächte

Polarnächte, literally "polar nights" in German, refers to the annual phenomenon of extended or continuous darkness in polar regions during winter. It occurs in the Arctic and Antarctic zones where the Sun stays below the horizon for extended periods. The duration depends on latitude: the closer to the pole, the longer the night; at the poles themselves the sun remains absent for about six months, from around the autumnal equinox to the vernal equinox. Near the polar circle (approximately 66.5 degrees north or south), there is a complete absence of sunrise for roughly one day around the winter solstice, with longer periods of twilight the further inward one goes.

During the polar night there is typically little or no direct sunlight, though in some intervals the Sun lies just below the horizon and produces twilight. Moonlight, starlight, and, at times, auroras can illuminate the landscape. Weather conditions often exaggerate darkness, as cloud cover can block even the faint light available.

Cultural and ecological aspects: In human communities living at high latitudes, life adapts through artificial lighting, altered schedules, and seasonal routines. Wildlife in these regions also adjusts to prolonged darkness, with behavioral shifts and changes in feeding patterns. The polar night is a central element in regional folklore, literature, and tourism, particularly in parts of Scandinavia, Russia, Canada, and Greenland.

See also: Polar day, Polar twilight, Arctic regions, Antarctic regions.