Night

What is Night?

Night is the time when the Sun is not shining. While one half of Earth is bright with sunlight, the other half is dark. This happens because Earth's rotation makes the Sun appear to rise and set every day.

The Night Sky

Even when it is dark, the night sky can be beautiful. You might see the soft glow of moonlight, twinkle of starlight, or even the magical band of stars called the Milky Way. Sometimes, lights from towns and cities can make the sky look less dark. This is called light pollution.

Animals and Night

Many animals are more active at night. These are called nocturnal animals. They have special ways to see in the dark, like extra cells in their eyes or a special layer that helps them see better. Some animals, like humans, sleep at night and may have dreams.

Why We Have Night

Night happens because Earth spins around. When a place on Earth turns away from the Sun, it becomes night. The length of night changes with the seasons. Nights are longer in winter and shorter in summer. Near the equator, nights stay about the same length all year. But near the poles, night can last for many hours, even all day in winter!