Residents of Utqiagvik, Alaska, the northernmost town in the United States, experienced their last sunrise for the next two months on Monday.
At 1:27 p.m. local time, the sun dipped below the horizon, marking the start of the polar night, during which the sun will not rise again until January 22.
The sun’s return will be brief, staying above the horizon for less than an hour before setting once more.
This prolonged darkness is a feature of winter in places like Utqiagvik, located above the Arctic Circle, where the tilt of the Northern Hemisphere causes the town to experience nearly two months of uninterrupted darkness.
During this period, temperatures typically hover around 10 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit, dropping further as the winter progresses.
Despite the absence of daylight, the northern lights continue to grace the skies, and the phenomenon of “twilight” provides a brief, dim glow each day.
For many locals, this time is not seen as depressing, but rather as a unique and beautiful part of life in Utqiagvik, with celebrations marking the sun’s return in January.
The town, formerly known as Barrow, voted in 2016 to revert to its traditional name, given by the Inupiat people.
Though the sun will be absent, the polar night is an event that residents embrace together, with festivities around the town and social media posts sharing the unique experience of this months-long darkness.
