Utqiagvik, Alaska, the northernmost city in the United States, has entered its annual period of polar night. On November 18, 2025, residents bid farewell to the sun at 1:36 PM, marking the start of 65 days of continuous darkness. The sun will not be seen again until January 22, 2026. This phenomenon, known as the polar night, occurs because of the Earth’s axial tilt. As the planet orbits the sun, the Northern Hemisphere, including Utqiagvik, is angled away from the sun during winter. This celestial alignment prevents direct sunlight from reaching regions north of the Arctic Circle for an extended period. The Earth’s tilt of approximately 23.5 degrees is the fundamental cause of this prolonged absence of daylight, which is reversed in the summer months when Utqiagvik experiences nearly 85 days of continuous sunshine. The transition into darkness this year was amplified by daylight saving time adjustments. The town, home to about 4,500 people, many from the Inuit community, adapts to life without sunlight. This extended darkness can impact residents’ well-being, leading to fatigue and seasonal affective disorder (SAD), for which light therapy is often used. Despite the challenging conditions and temperatures plummeting to -20 to -30 degrees Celsius, daily life persists. Schools operate, businesses function, and people navigate using artificial light. The polar night also brings unique cultural celebrations, including Christmas and New Year’s festivities. Furthermore, the dark skies offer a spectacular canvas for the Aurora Borealis, attracting tourists eager to witness the celestial dance of the northern lights, although extreme cold can pose limitations. Utqiagvik, formerly known as Barrow, also serves as a crucial hub for Arctic research, with scientists studying the impacts of climate change and melting ice. Experts predict that global warming could potentially alter future polar night cycles, but for now, this natural rhythm continues.
