Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 12/01/2011 - 05:27

Dear Ms. Brown, I went outside tonight and looked and saw the stars and I thought how you won't see the same stars. Then I remembered that you don't see stars at all. Our days have gotten so short here, and the sun is all down where you are. Then I thought, I wonder if you are having any trouble sleeping? I think they call it insomnia. I think there was a movie about that one time. Do you know any researchers having trouble with the all night sunlight? I wonder if some of the early explorers struggled with it. Thanks for all of your great information Ms. Brown!

Take care, Jason

Michelle Brown

Dear Jason,Thank you for your question! Our days are very long here--the sun won't
set until February 22nd! Luckily I am not having trouble sleeping. We
have a dark blind that covers the window in my dorm room and I'm
typically exhausted by the end of the night. I have heard other people
complain that they don't sleep as well here though.
I imagine it was difficult for early explorers who didn't have the
luxury of a nice, dark dorm room. This might also be the case for
researchers who are out in the field. I will have to find someone who
has been out in the field recently and ask them!
I hope your insomnia goes away!
Sincerely,
Ms. Brown