America's northernmost town enters polar night and sun won't shine again until January

UTQIAGVIK, Alaska – America's northernmost town is about to experience the annual phenomenon of polar night.

Starting at 1:27 p.m. AKST Monday, the sun will set for the final time this year in Utqiaġvik , Alaska , plunging the town into 64 days of complete darkness. It won't rise again until Jan. 22 at 1:15 p.m.

Utqiaġvik is about 500 miles northwest of Fairbanks , which does not experience this complete lack of daylight.

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While the town won't be entirely dark, civil twilight will provide a few hours of dim light during what would typically be daytime. This period, when the sun's center is within 6 degrees below the horizon, offers a unique opportunity for stargazers to witness the celestial wonders unobstructed.

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This extreme darkness can significantly impact residents' mental and physical health . Many rely on vitamin D supplements and light therapy lamps to mitigate the effects of prolonged darkness.

However, the return of daylight in the spring , culminating in the mesmerizing midnight sun , brings renewed energy and vitality to the community.