midnight sun
Definition
Noun: A natural phenomenon where the sun remains visible at local midnight. This occurs in summer months inside the Arctic and Antarctic Circles due to the axial tilt of the Earth.
Usage
The term "midnight sun" is used to describe the specific event or the period when this phenomenon occurs. It is typically used with the definite article "the" when referring to the phenomenon in general, and often with prepositions like "under," "during," or "see" when describing the experience. - We traveled to Norway to see the midnight sun. - During the summer, this region experiences the midnight sun for several weeks. - It's strange to read a book outdoors under the midnight sun.
Advanced Usage
- "Land of the Midnight Sun": A poetic nickname for regions within the Arctic Circle, such as parts of Norway, Sweden, Finland, Russia, Canada, and Alaska (USA).
- Alaska is often called the Land of the Midnight Sun.
Variants and Related Words
- Polar day: A more scientific term for the period of 24 hours or more when the sun is above the horizon. The "midnight sun" is a feature of the polar day.
- Polar night: The opposite phenomenon, where the sun remains below the horizon for 24 hours or more during winter.
Synonyms
- Sun at midnight: A descriptive synonym, though less commonly used as a fixed term.
Related Phrases
- To have midnight sun: Used to describe a location's characteristic.
- Northern Iceland has midnight sun around the summer solstice.
Noun
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the sun visible at midnight (inside the Arctic or Antarctic Circles)
