Antarctica's Midnight Sun: 24-Hour Daylight in Summer

During the Antarctic summer (November–February), the sun remains visible for 24 hours a day—a phenomenon called the midnight sun or polar day. This occurs because Earth's axial tilt points the South Pole toward the sun continuously during this season. At the South Pole itself, the sun stays above the horizon for approximately six months.

The effect diminishes with distance from the pole but persists across the continent. Conversely, Antarctic winter (June–August) brings polar night—weeks or months of continuous darkness. These extreme light cycles result from Earth's rotation and orbit combined with Antarctica's polar latitude, creating one of the planet's most dramatic natural light shows.