polaripäivän

Polaripäivän, often translated as "polar day" or "midnight sun," refers to a natural phenomenon occurring in the Earth's polar regions. This phenomenon is characterized by periods during which the sun remains visible above the horizon for more than 24 hours. It is a direct consequence of the Earth's axial tilt relative to its orbital plane around the Sun.

During the summer months in either the Arctic or Antarctic, the hemisphere tilted towards the Sun experiences continuous daylight. The duration of the polar day varies depending on the latitude; the closer one is to the poles, the longer the period of continuous daylight. At the Arctic and Antarctic Circles, the sun appears to graze the horizon once a year, at the summer solstice. Further north or south, the sun may not set for weeks or even months.

Conversely, the polar regions also experience polar night, the opposite phenomenon where the sun remains below the horizon for more than 24 hours. This occurs during the winter months. The period of polar day and polar night are complementary, with the total length of daylight and darkness over a year being roughly equal.

The polar day has significant impacts on the environment and the lives of inhabitants in these regions. It influences wildlife behavior, plant growth cycles, and human activities, including tourism and scientific research. The extended daylight can affect sleep patterns and psychological well-being.