How Does the Midnight Sun Occur in the Arctic Region?

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In summary: When the viewer is on the right side of the spinner, the north pole is in front of them and when they are on the left side of the spinner, the south pole is in front of them. The view from a saddle spinner is like the view from an airplane. When you are in the air and looking down at a city, you can see the streets and buildings below you, but as you move away from the city and the streets start to curve, the buildings start to look like they are floating. The same thing happens with a saddle spinner. When the viewer is on the right side of the spinner, the north pole is in front of them and when they are on the left side
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ANAMUL
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can anyone explain the Midnight Sun occurring in Arctic region. Why it happens and is it possible on a globe?
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It happens because the axis of rotation of the Earth is at an angle (other than 0 or 90 degrees) with respect to the position of the light source.
 
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Suppose the Earth's axis of rotation pointed at the sun (Uranus is actually close to this). Do you see then that if you were on the north pole that the sun would be straight overhead and would not move as the Earth rotated? If not, try getting a globe and pointing it at a light bulb. Then tilt the axis away from the light bulb, but still pointed near the sun. Then the sun will describe larger and larger circles around the zenith (the point straight up). This is the situation for the Earth.
 
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My question is on the physics of this observation. If the Earth is spinning, why doesn't the sun simply move to the right, then stop and move left, then right, and so on? The footage of the midnight sun shows the camera continuously panning to the right to keep the sun in view. How is that possible? As the globe spins, pretend you start at 3 o'clock and are moving counterclockwise...as u spin towards the 12 o'clock position, the sun arcs and moves right from our perspective, and continues this path until we approach the 9 o'clock position. It's at this point, as we begin to move from 9 o'clock, towards 6 o'clock and back to the starting 3 o'clock positions that the sun would appear to move left...not in a continuous line to the right only.
 
  • #5
CuriousGuyDFW001 said:
My question is on the physics of this observation. If the Earth is spinning, why doesn't the sun simply move to the right, then stop and move left, then right, and so on? The footage of the midnight sun shows the camera continuously panning to the right to keep the sun in view. How is that possible? As the globe spins, pretend you start at 3 o'clock and are moving counterclockwise...as u spin towards the 12 o'clock position, the sun arcs and moves right from our perspective, and continues this path until we approach the 9 o'clock position. It's at this point, as we begin to move from 9 o'clock, towards 6 o'clock and back to the starting 3 o'clock positions that the sun would appear to move left...not in a continuous line to the right only.

I don't understand your confusion. Suppose you are standing on a spinning merry-go-round and there is a street light on your left. The merry-go-round is spinning counter-clockwise viewed from above. The street light will move from being on your left to being in front of you to being on your right to passing behind you until it is on your left again. But if you keep panning a camera to keep the street light in the view finder, you will keep turning to your right at a constant rate forever. Where is the discrepancy? If you don't believe it go down to the playground and try it.
 
  • #6
phyzguy said:
...standing on a spinning merry-go-round and there is a street light on your left... If you don't believe it go down to the playground and try it.

Most merrygorounds are not angled. This video has the view from a saddle spinner at 2:00. You can see the horizon go up and down similar to the ecliptic plane in the arctic.
 
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FAQ: How Does the Midnight Sun Occur in the Arctic Region?

What causes the midnight sun phenomenon in the Arctic?

The midnight sun in the Arctic is caused by the tilt of the Earth's axis. During the summer months, the Earth's axis is tilted towards the sun, causing the northern regions to be in constant sunlight.

Where can one experience the midnight sun in the Arctic?

The midnight sun can be experienced in the Arctic Circle, which includes parts of Alaska, Canada, Greenland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia. The specific locations may vary depending on the time of year and the latitude.

How long does the midnight sun last in the Arctic?

The duration of the midnight sun in the Arctic varies depending on the location, but it typically lasts for about two to three months during the summer. In some areas, the midnight sun can last up to six months.

What effects does the midnight sun have on the Arctic ecosystem?

The constant sunlight during the summer months has a significant impact on the Arctic ecosystem. It allows plants to grow and thrive, providing food for animals. It also affects the migration patterns of animals and can impact their breeding cycles.

How does the midnight sun affect human life in the Arctic?

The midnight sun can have both positive and negative effects on human life in the Arctic. It provides extra daylight for activities and tourism, but it can also disrupt sleep patterns and affect mental health due to the lack of darkness. It can also impact traditional activities and livelihoods of indigenous peoples in the region.

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