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| J. Davies - USGS PHOTO |
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Sunshine at midnight.
Alaska receives more sunlight in spring and summer than any other state and many other parts of the world. In Barrow, the state’s northernmost community, the sun does not set for more than two and a half months—from May 10 until August 2. (The downside of this phenomenon in Barrow is, from November 18 until January 24, the sun never rises above the horizon).
The real boundary of the midnight sun is the Arctic Circle, latitude 66 degrees 33 minutes north. That imaginary line marks the lowest latitude at which the sun remains above the horizon for a full 24 hours during summer solstice (June 20 or 21) and below the horizon for a full 24 hours during winter solstice (December 21 or 22).
Nearly one-third of Alaska lies above the Arctic Circle, but Alaskans are fairly informal about claiming they live with the midnight sun. All parts of the state enjoy long daylight hours in summer, even Ketchikan, the state’s southernmost population center, where there are more than 17 hours of daylight on June days.
Where to See Alaska’s Midnight Sun
Many tour companies operating out of Fairbanks offer bus, van, and airplane tours in summer to the Arctic Circle and beyond. On summer solstice, the longest day of the year, you can join local residents to watch the sun from traditional high-elevation viewpoints on Alaska highways. On the Steese Highway, viewpoints are at Cleary Summit, 20 miles northeast of Fairbanks’ Murphy Dome, 25 miles northeast of Fairbanks’ and Eagle Summit, 108 miles northeast of Fairbanks. On the Taylor Highway from Tetlin Junction, views are good from several high points on Mount Fairplay. Many communities hold late-night celebrations—including a baseball game, fun run, and Midnight Sun golf scramble in Fairbanks.
How does it affect the environment...?
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