Lofoten Islands Winter Sunrise

Lofoten islands norway winter sunrise

Photo: January sun shines through empty stockfish racks, Lofoten islands, Norway

These two images are from the 6th of January, when the sun does not fully rise above the horizon on the Lofoten islands.  Normally we’re used to sunrise in the east, sunset in the west.  However, north of the arctic circle, this isn’t really true.  In winter, the sun rises and sets towards the south, where as in summer, it sets towards the north.  In relation to this is that the sun travels much more parallel in relation to the horizon – I wont go into the numbers right now, maybe some other time I’ll bring out the astronomy nerd in me.  So, the result of this for the viewer, or photographer, is that the sun appears to rise and set very slowly.  Or in more practical terms, sunrise/sunset lasts a lot longer that here in California.  On the case of the 6th of January, the sun travels along the southern horizon for about an hour before disappearing once more.  Yep, that’s it, 1 hour of sun for the day.  Just a few days previous, New Years for example, there is no sun at all.  Though it is not far below the horizon, giving a magical twilight light if the skies are clear.

 

Lofoten islands norway winter sunrise

Photo: January winter sun on horizon over Vestfjorden, Lofoten islands, Norway.

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