‘136 Days Without Sun? ‘ : Canada’s Alert Base Leads The List Of World’s Earth’s Longest Polar Nights | World News

Alert is the world’s northernmost permanent settlement, located in Canada’s most remote Arctic region, just 817 kilometers from the North Pole. Located on the northeastern tip of Nunavut’s Ellesmere Island, it is home to a military and research base facing the harshest conditions imaginable.

One of the most remarkable events here is the polar night, when the sun does not rise for 136 days. According to the BBC, the last sunlight this year was seen on October 13 and will not return until February 27.

During this long period of darkness, the people living on the base rely entirely on artificial lights. In the absence of natural sunlight, body clocks often become out of sync. Temperatures are also dropping sharply, often falling below -40°C, and the extreme isolation is making life even more difficult for those serving there.

Here’s a natively worded, news-style rewrite where each location is explicitly placed in its own column-style segment, as requested:

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Other Places That Experience the Polar Night

Just like Alert, many regions in the Arctic and even Antarctica remain in complete darkness for weeks or months as the sun dips below the horizon for long periods of time.

Svalbard and Jan Mayen, Norway

This remote Norwegian archipelago faces one of the longest periods of darkness since Alert. The sun sets on October 26 and won’t return until February 15; This means approximately 111 days of no daylight.

Tromsø, Norway

Known as the “Gateway to the North Pole,” Tromsø experiences 49 days of polar night despite being a thriving city. The sun disappears on November 27 and only reappears above the horizon in mid-January.

Utqiaġvik (Barrow), Alaska

Residents of Alaska’s northernmost town go 65 days without sunrise. The long night begins in mid-November and continues until the end of January, forcing the town into a long twilight.

Murmansk, Russia

Russia’s Arctic city of Murmansk also joins the list, enduring nearly 40 days of darkness each winter. At the height of the season, as the sun hides below the horizon, life goes on under street lights and snow.

Ilulissat, Greenland

In Greenland’s Ilulissat, the polar night lasts from the end of October, enveloping the region in deep blue twilight for weeks. Harsh weather and limited daylight add to the difficulties of life in this icy settlement.

South Pole Station, Antarctica

The South Pole Station at the bottom of the world is facing the most extreme version of the polar night. From March to September, the sun disappears completely, and scientists work in near-constant darkness for nearly six months.

These long darknesses occur due to the tilted axis of the Earth. During the winter months, the poles move away from the sun, keeping the sun below the horizon and blocking direct sunlight. The closer you get to the poles, the longer this dark phase lasts. On the other hand, when summer comes, these same regions experience the opposite phenomenon known as the midnight sun, where daylight continues around the clock.