Midnight Sun in Greenland

Midnight Sun

Just like in Iceland, Greenland experiences the phenomenon of the midnight sun during the summer months. This is the time of year when the sun does not set in the Arctic Circle, resulting in nearly 24/7 sunlight. However, since Greenland is a large country. the southern part lies outside the Arctic Circle. Consequently, South Greenland does not experience the midnight sun in the same way as the northern regions or cities within the Arctic Circle.

The midnight sun occurs due to the Earth’s axial tilt of approximately 23.4°. This tilt allows certain regions to experience polar day during the summer months and polar night during the winter months. During polar night, the sun does not rise, or it only appears for a few hours each day, leaving these regions in almost total darkness during the winter months. Polar day is the opposite, with these regions experiencing continuous daylight or sunlight.

Here is an illustration that explains the Earth’s tilt, showing how it places the Arctic Circle in constant sunlight during the summer.