Why does the Antarctic have six months of summer and winter?

Antarctica does not have six-month summers or winters. Instead, it experiences a phenomenon known as the polar night during winter and a polar day during summer. These occur due to the Earth's tilt on its axis and its orbit around the Sun.

During winter in Antarctica, which lasts approximately from March to September, the continent is tilted away from the Sun, resulting in minimal or no direct sunlight reaching its surface. This prolonged period of darkness is known as the polar night. The Sun remains below the horizon for weeks or even months, causing extremely low temperatures and an absence of daylight.

In contrast, during the summer in Antarctica, from September to March, the continent is tilted toward the Sun, leading to continuous daylight. This period is called the polar day. The Sun remains visible for an extended duration, up to 24 hours a day, resulting in high levels of solar radiation and relatively warmer conditions compared to winter.

The duration of these polar nights and polar days varies depending on the specific location within Antarctica. The farther south a location is, the longer the periods of darkness and daylight it experiences.