What is it called when the sun stays up for twenty-four hours?

Answer 1

The term you are seeking is 'circumpolar'.

In astronomy, it means an astronomical body, such as a star, planet, the Moon or Sun when it is above the horizon for 24 hours, neither rising or setting, but always in the sky.

When this is the case, it is referred to as circumpolar.

From the poles, the moon is often circumpolar for about two weeks each month.

The sun is circumpolar for months in the polar regions.

Some stellar constellations are always circumpolar from certain latitudes and never set or rise as viewed from those regions. The North Star (Polaris) is an example. From north of the equator, it is always above the horizon and never rises or sets.




Vis definition 2 below:


circumpolar - adj.

1 Geog. around or near one of the earth's poles.

2 Astron. (of a star or motion etc.) above the horizon at all times in a given latitude.


From the Oxford Concise Dictionary - 9th Edition




See also:

http://wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=circumpolar

Answer 2

The sun always stays up. Night happens when the part of the Earth you're on is facing away from the sun, so any lack of sunlight is because of Earth, not the sun.

Answer 3

It's because the Sun never goes out. It seems to go out but it is just that Earth rotates and only lets one half of it face the Sun while the other is dark.

Answer 4

It is still called the sun, I think, whether it is up 24 hours or none

Answer 5

it's still a day whether the sun is out or not. it's all about the 24 hour interval

Answer 6

The sun always stays up. It's the earth that's spinning on its axis.

Answer 7

A day in northern Alaska during the summer.

Answer 8

Summer solstice in the northern hemisphere. Winter solstice in the southern hemisphere.

Answer 9

June 21st in the Yukon.

Answer 10

Here in "Old Europe" we call it "Midnight Sun" for as it shines at midnight, too.