Alaska's Midnight Sun
Alaska's Midnight Sun
Have you ever imagined a day that never ends? In Alaska, during the summer, this amazing phenomenon becomes a reality! It's called the "Midnight Sun," and it means the sun stays up for nearly 24 hours each day.
Why Does This Happen?
The Earth is tilted on its axis, like a slightly leaning spinning top. As the Earth travels around the Sun each year, different parts of the Earth get more direct sunlight. During Alaska's summer, the North Pole is tilted towards the Sun. This tilt causes Alaska to experience more daylight hours than places further south. Imagine shining a flashlight on a globe ā the part tilted towards the light gets the most light.
Days of Sunlight
In some parts of Alaska, especially those north of the Arctic Circle, the sun doesn't set for over 70 days! That's more than two months of continuous daylight. Even in southern Alaskan cities like Anchorage, the sun might only dip below the horizon for a few hours each night. It's like having a very long daytime, followed by a very short twilight.
What It's Like to Live With the Midnight Sun
- Midnight Sun:
- When the sun stays up for nearly 24 hours each day.
- Axis:
- An imaginary line that the Earth spins around.
- Arctic Circle:
- An imaginary line around the Earth near the North Pole.
- phenomenon:
- A rare or exciting event in nature that can be observed.
- horizon:
- The line off in the distance where the sky looks like it meets the land or water.
- twilight:
- The faint light in the sky just after the sun goes down or right before it comes up.
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1What is the Midnight Sun?
- 2Why does the Midnight Sun happen in Alaska?
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About this informational passage for Upper Elementary
āAlaska's Midnight Sunā is a informational reading passage about Alaska, written for Upper Elementary. It takes about 3 minutes to read (376 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.