What time do white nights start? White nights as an atmospheric phenomenon. The most important event

Probably, every tourist who comes to St. Petersburg is concerned about the question of when the white nights begin and end. According to many sources, in 2019 this spectacle will "cover" the northern capital from June 11 to July 2. That is, it is worth coming to this segment.

But, as many believe (erroneously), that the white nights strictly last in this period of time. In reality, this is absolutely not the case. Therefore, let's look at this topic from a scientific and practical point of view.

• How long is daylight
• Let's summarize

What does the term "white nights" mean?

On white nights, the sun sets below the horizon. But, not far away - it falls only behind the line at a small angle. Therefore, it is not a day on the street, but constant twilight. Moreover, the closer you are to the horizon line, the brighter they are.

There is even a so-called division of twilight into “civilian” - the brightest, when no stars are visible in the sky, and “sea” - navigational, when you can see the main stars and you can navigate by them. In the first case, the sun goes below the horizon at an angle of 6 degrees, in the second - up to 12. Also, in the Capital, "civil" twilight lasts only 60 minutes.

So, it turns out that ordinary white nights are when "civil" twilight does not turn into "marine" twilight, but immediately becomes morning. At the same time, each object can be viewed at any time of the day or night without street lighting.

An important nuance! Twilight "from dusk to dawn" can only be observed at latitudes above 60°60′00″, and St. Petersburg is located at a latitude of 59°57′00″. That is, if we take this issue formally, then there are no “white nights” as such. Even at the brightest midnight of June 20-21.

But it's hard to notice, and here's why.

How long is daylight

Attention should be paid to the fact that the period from May 21 to the end of July at a latitude of 64 degrees differs in that the day exceeds 19 hours, and only 5 hours remain for the whole night, including twilight.

St. Petersburg is located south of this latitude, and the period in which the day length is almost 19 hours will begin from the last week of May and end as early as mid-July.

And if given the short night (together with the time for twilight)? And remember that the city is always more well lit than natural places due to the work of lanterns and any other lighting devices?

Of course, a brief "real" darkness still occurs, but it is simply impossible to notice with the naked eye. You won’t be able to see the stars either, and you won’t be able to fall asleep with the curtains open either.

In reality, in the Northern capital it is most light at night starting from the end of May and ending in mid-July.

What will the city authorities and tour operators tell us?

If you go to their official website www.lensvet.spb.ru and look at the lighting map for the current year, it becomes immediately clear when the white nights begin and end according to the "version" of LenSvet. These are the time periods when the streets are lit only until 3 am - from the end of May to the second week of July.

The federal authorities also agree that it is during this period that the city will be the most presentable for tourists and citizens. For example, the St. Petersburg Economic Forum was previously held in the second half of July (last time it was held from 01.06 to 03.06), and in 2019 the event is scheduled for May 24-26.

Well, everything is clear with travel companies and operators. Almost all packages for the "White Nights of St. Petersburg" for the end of May and mid-July have already been sold out. It is at this time that the city is visited by the largest number of tourists.

Let's summarize

In the formal sense, they do not exist at all;
- As astronomers say, from 11.06 to 02.07;
- As practice shows, from about 25.05 to 15.07.

How did they appear, and how to explain this phenomenon? Such amazing nights are found not only on the banks of the Neva, but also in many other parts of our planet. For most people, they are associated with something mystical, inexplicable, and now we will discuss all this.

What are white nights

Young children ask a lot of questions, and parents and teachers explain to them what certain concepts are. Any explanation is accompanied by the phrase: “Only this way and nothing else!” This forms in people the concept that during the day the sun shines and therefore it is light, and at night it becomes dark due to the appearance of the moon. This is the correct order of day and night, and we are used to it, but sometimes nature changes its rules. White nights are such non-standard "tricks" of hers.

The white nights of St. Petersburg are twilight that extends to the entire dark time of the day. Twilight, from the point of view of astronomy, is called the period when the sun is located at the shallowest depth below the horizon.

Why exactly St. Petersburg?

In most cases, white nights are associated with the great St. Petersburg. It should be noted that this is far from the only city in which one can observe such an excellent phenomenon, the creator of which is nature itself. The white nights of St. Petersburg are considered the most beautiful, although a similar phenomenon can be admired in Surgut, Murmansk or Arkhangelsk. However, only one of these cities was destined to become famous.

In order to admire this incredible spectacle, people from all over the world come to St. Petersburg. Even the locals are waiting for this event with tenderness and trepidation. This is not surprising, since the city is not only famous for its special nights. It is impossible to remain indifferent when observing the historical heritage, unsurpassed landscape, architecture and atmosphere. And if we add white nights to all this? That is why St. Petersburg is the city of white nights. Only he was awarded this honorary title.

When do these nights start and how long do they last?

In Russia, this amazing phenomenon can be observed in different periods in different cities.

• Saint Petersburg. White Nights - the period from approximately the end of May to the beginning of July. To be more precise, they usually start on June 11 and last until July 2.
• Arkhangelsk. Here the white nights come a little later, namely on May 13th. And they end at the end of July.
• Petrozavodsk. Here the nights are brighter and last longer.
• Vorkuta, Murmansk and Norilsk. Their common feature is polar days and nights.

Why do they arise?

Probably, many are interested in why the nights are white? How does this phenomenon occur? It happens because the sun is below the horizon at a shallow depth. This period is called twilight, and they have several gradations.

• Civil Twilight. At this time, the street is quite light, but the stars in the sky are not visible. They start right after sunset. They last until the luminary falls 6 degrees below the horizon.
• Navigational. When this twilight comes, you can admire the bright stars that are perfectly visible in the sky.
• Astronomical twilight. The celestial body must fall 12 degrees below the horizon, and then they will come.

The main reason for the appearance of white nights is latitude. At low latitudes, the above types of twilight change at such a speed that we do not notice it. A completely different situation occurs with high latitudes, where this beautiful natural phenomenon is observed.

The sun's rays illuminate the planet differently due to the inclination of the Earth to the plane of the orbit. The northern polar region during the summer solstice becomes more illuminated, and at a latitude above 65 degrees, the polar day begins at all. So it is customary to call the period when the heavenly body does not fall below the horizon.

Unforgettable moments

Petersburg white nights are accompanied by a number of cultural events. The scale and uniqueness of some of them is simply unique. Tourists, as well as the residents of the city, admire this breathtaking spectacle with pleasure and take part in recreational activities.

One of the events dedicated to the white nights is the All-Russian ball of graduates "Scarlet Sails". The first stage of the event takes place on land and in the daytime, and the second is held in the Neva. At night, you can watch this grand multimedia fireworks show.

Another unique event in the northern capital is the music festival, which bears the name of the time and place of its holding, namely the "White Nights of St. Petersburg". Stars of both domestic and global scale take part in it.

The most important event

The most important event that accompanies the white nights is the raising of bridges and the passage of motor ships along the Neva. It should be noted that this is a bewitching and very beautiful sight that cannot be missed during a night walk around St. Petersburg.

There is a certain schedule for bridges, so you can admire not only the beauty of the white nights.

As you can see, white nights are not only a fascinating natural phenomenon, but also a cultural value. Once you see the white nights of St. Petersburg, you will never be able to forget it. The unique beauty of the city and this amazing natural phenomenon were glorified by the great classics and painters, including such famous personalities as F. M. Dostoevsky and A. S. Pushkin. They sang the white nights in their works, which made the city famous all over the world. Be sure to visit the northern capital during the white nights and admire this spectacle.

Ride on a boat to draw bridges and see it in almost daylight sounds good, doesn't it?

Contacts of the shipowner

So, when will the white nights start in St. Petersburg in 2019?

We will analyze the topic from a scientific and practical point of view in order to put a final point on this issue.

Let's start with the definition of the term "white nights".

On a white night, the sun goes below the horizon, but not far, dropping below the horizon at a slight angle. What happens on the street is not daytime, but twilight, and the closer the sun is to the horizon line, the brighter they are.

There is even a division of twilight into the so-called “civilian” (lighter), when the stars are not visible, and “sea” (“navigational”) - when the main stars are already visible and you can navigate by them. In the first case, the sun plunges below the horizon at an angle of up to 6 degrees, in the second case - up to 12 °.

For understanding: in Moscow, the evening “civilian” twilight lasts no more than an hour.

You will be surprised by the prices for renting motor ships in St. Petersburg
It is believed that the classic “white nights” are when “civil” evening twilight does not turn into “marine” twilight, but immediately becomes morning. All objects are visible around the clock, the streets do not need additional lighting.

There is just one caveat: such twilight "from dusk to dawn" is possible only in latitudes above 60°60′00″, and St. Petersburg is located at 59°57′00″. That is, in the “city of white nights”, if you approach it formally, there are none: even at the brightest midnight of June 20-21, there is a period when the sun drops below the horizon by 7 degrees.

But you hardly notice it, and here's why.

Average day length.

Since St. Petersburg is to the south, the period in which the length of the day approaches 19 hours begins from the last week of May and ends in mid-July. The night time of the day is already so short, but if we take into account the above-described situation with twilight? And, do not forget, the city is always brighter than in nature, due to its own lighting. Yes, technically brief "real" darkness does happen, but you probably won't notice it. You won’t be able to admire the stars, and falling asleep with open curtains will also be difficult.

In practice, in St. Petersburg it is light at night from late May to mid-July.

What do city authorities and travel companies think about this?

If you look at the lighting schedule in 2019, you can immediately see when the white nights begin and end, according to Lensvet. This is the time when the streets will be lit only until three in the morning, i.е. from the end of May to the second decade of July.

Mobile buffet - invented in St. Petersburg
The federal authorities apparently also apparently agreed that St. Petersburg at night is quite presentable for foreign guests at the end of May as well: for example, the St. Petersburg Economic Forum, which usually took place in mid-June, was last held from this year is scheduled for May 24-26.

Well, it’s not worth talking about travel agencies and shipping companies: a lot of tourists come to the city on tourist packages for the “white nights of St. Petersburg” both at the end of May and in mid-July. It is very difficult to rent a hotel room or at this time, you should prepare in advance.

Let's summarize.

1. In the formal sense, they do not exist at all.

2. From the point of view of an astronomer, the period closest to them is from 11.06 to 02.07.

3. From a practical point of view, they last approximately from 25.05 to 15.07.

White nights are a special natural phenomenon, the observation of which is available only to residents of the northern regions. And, of course, anyone who wants to can come there and see everything with their own eyes, the main thing is to know exactly when the white nights begin.

What are white nights

This is the merging of evening twilight with morning. During the white nights, complete darkness does not occur, and in some cities at this time, street lighting is not even turned on at night. Until recently, this was also the case in St. Petersburg.

The presence and length of the period of white nights depends on the latitude where a particular city or region is located. It is generally accepted that this phenomenon is typical for regions located at a latitude not lower than 60 0 33 '.

For St. Petersburg, white nights are a calling card. Many tourists tend to visit the northern capital during this period, so at this time the city hosts many events, festivals and festivities, which further contributes to the influx of tourists. And, of course, the drawing of bridges during the white nights fascinates with its beauty.

When do white nights start?

• Saint Petersburg. It is generally accepted that in this city the white nights begin on June 11 and end on July 2. But even on the longest day of the year, on the day of the summer solstice (June 21), the sun still sets below the horizon, but only by 7 0 . At this time, dusk sets in and lasts for several hours.
• Petrozavodsk. In this city, white nights are more pronounced than in the northern capital, and they are longer in duration. The period of white nights in Petrozavodsk is the period from May 27 to July 17.
• Arkhangelsk is located to the north of the cities listed above, so the white nights there begin on May 13 and end on July 30.
• Murmansk, Norilsk, Vorkuta, Naryan-Mar. In these cities, in addition to white nights, polar day and polar night are observed. Accordingly, white nights last 2 - 3 weeks before the onset of the polar day and exactly the same after its end.

The beginning of summer in St. Petersburg is the time of a unique natural phenomenon. The sun leaves the sky for only a few hours, giving way to twilight. The white nights of St. Petersburg attract tourists from all over the country and foreign guests. The city appears in a new incarnation. The strict beauty of the architecture after sunset is hidden by the soft glow of the evening. People come here to admire the beautiful city, walk along the unusually bright night streets, visit museums and exhibitions, take part in shows and masquerades. If you want to see the white nights in St. Petersburg, when late twilight begins in 2017, then it is better to come to the city in June.

White nights - a symbol of St. Petersburg

Artists, musicians, poets and writers have appreciated the mysticism of this season. A. Pushkin, F. Dostoevsky, A. Blok, O. Mandelstam, A. Akhmatova, M. Tsvetaeva admired and sang about the white nights in their works.

your thoughtful nights
Transparent dusk, moonless brilliance,
When I am in my room
I write, I read without a lamp,
And the sleeping masses are clear
Deserted streets, and light
Admiralty needle,
And, not letting the darkness of the night
To golden skies
One dawn to replace another
Hurry, giving the night half an hour.

A.S. Pushkin, "The Bronze Horseman"

The white nights of St. Petersburg are also reflected in music. The sounds of the nocturne “May. White Nights” P.I. Tchaikovsky from the piece for piano "The Seasons".

Many films shot in St. Petersburg are decorated with shots of bright nights, and for good reason. This is the best time to walk with your loved one, with friends or alone, to breathe in the warm summer breeze of the embankments and think about something of your own.