Daylight at Point Barrow, Alaska: From 24-Hour Sun to 24-Hour Dark

Point Barrow (Utqiaġvik), at 71.3° N, lies well above the Arctic Circle. Daylight varies extremely:

Annual Cycle

Key Dates

• May 10: Sun rises, doesn't set for 84 days.
• June 21 (Solstice): Maximum sun altitude ~47°; 24-hr daylight.
• Aug 2: Sun sets for first time since May.
• Nov 18: Sun rises for last time until Jan 24.
• Jan 24: Sun returns (briefly); daylight increases daily.

Civil Twilight

During "polar night," civil twilight (sun <6° below horizon) provides 3–6 hours of bluish light around midday—enough for outdoor activity without artificial light.

Impact on Life

• Iñupiat traditions: seasonal hunting (whale, seal, caribou), festivals (Nalukataq, Kivgiq).
• Modern: blackout curtains, vitamin D supplements, light therapy, shifted schedules.
• Research: NOAA, DOE, NSF stations study climate, permafrost, atmospheric science.

Point Barrow's extreme photoperiod is a defining feature of Arctic life—both a challenge and a cultural cornerstone.