When is the last day of white nights? Where do the events of M.F.'s story take place?

At the end of June, in the polar latitudes you can observe white nights, during which natural illumination decreases only until twilight. At this time, the Sun's descent below the horizon, even at midnight, is small, and evening twilight turns into morning twilight without the onset of complete darkness. Such white nights are called “polar days.”

St. Petersburg, white night. Photo: www.russianlook.com

Why do white nights occur?

White nights are caused by a combination of our planet's tilt angle and its orbital position relative to the Sun. For this reason, in the northern and southern latitudes of our planet, the Sun may not set beyond the horizon at all for some time. During white nights, the Sun descends to the horizon, but no more than 6 degrees.

Depending on the position of the Sun relative to the horizon, civil, navigational and astronomical twilight are distinguished. Civil twilight lasts from the moment of visible sunset until the time when the angle between the horizon line and the center of the solar disk is 6°, from 6° to 12° - navigational twilight, from 12° to 18° - astronomical twilight.

In latitudes above the Arctic Circle, white nights are also observed for two to four weeks before the polar day and after it ends. In latitudes below the Arctic Circle, where there is no polar day, white nights are observed during the solstice, as well as before and after it, for a greater number of nights, the higher the latitude of the area.

The southern border of the white nights zone lies at latitude 49 degrees (geographic coordinates of Moscow: 55.45 degrees north latitude, St. Petersburg - 59.9 degrees north latitude). There are no white nights from the equator, which has a latitude of 0 degrees, to the parallel of 49 degrees.

Where in Russia can you see white nights?

Residents of Moscow can see white nights, but in the capital they are not as bright as in other cities. For almost three months from May 12 to August 1, the Sun does not completely set in Yakutia.

In the Volgograd and Rostov regions (they are located at a latitude of 49 degrees) one white night occurs (June 22). And higher to the north the white nights become lighter and longer. The polar day can be observed in Murmansk, Norilsk, Vorkuta, Cherepovets, Vologda, Berezniki, Magadan, Megion, Khanty-Mansiysk, Kotlas, Nizhnevartovsk, Nefteyugansk, Surgut, Syktyvkar, Petrozavodsk, Yakutsk, Ukhta, Noyabrsk, Nadym, Arkhangelsk, Severodvinsk.

An amazing natural phenomenon can be observed in St. Petersburg. The period of white nights lasts from June 11 to July 2. At this time, the city hosts various folk celebrations, concerts, holidays and festivals.

The best time for a holiday in St. Petersburg is summer, and even better is the end of June - beginning of July. Because it is at this time that you will be able to observe the “white nights”. But keep in mind that it is at this time that prices in hotels are the highest, and prices in June can be 3-4 times higher than in February for the same room.

Plane and train tickets must be purchased in advance, as well as hotel rooms. In recent years, due to the rapid opening of numerous mini-hotels, the situation with the number of rooms on peak dates has become better, but it is still strongly recommended to book hotels and apartments a month or two in advance if you want to relax during the peak of the white nights or on the New Year holidays. Railway tickets, especially for reserved seat carriages, must be purchased 45 days before the start date of the trip, because they will no longer be available 43 days later.

Another best time to vacation in St. Petersburg is the New Year holidays. But keep in mind that in winter you will not be able to appreciate all the beauty of the suburbs of St. Petersburg (although the palaces are usually open), you will not be able to take a boat ride on rivers and canals (unless you rent an icebreaker on the Gulf of Finland). Also, walking around the city can become extreme, because the temperature in winter can drop below 30 degrees, and the humid air from the Gulf of Finland will add unforgettable sensations.

If in summer the duration of daylight hours increases to 24 hours, then in winter in St. Petersburg the opposite effect is observed. The sun rises at 10 am, and by 5 pm it will be dark. Sometimes in winter you can see the northern lights.

Of course, one of the most striking decorations of the winter holidays are New Year trees, which are sure to remain up until mid-January. New Year trees themselves are often a work of art, and complement the magnificent illumination of architectural masterpieces only if poor townspeople do not steal poorly secured Christmas tree decorations.

Another season that deserves attention and was sung by Pushkin himself is golden autumn. In St. Petersburg it usually happens at the end of September - beginning of October. At this time, Pavlovsk, Tsarskoe Selo, Peterodvorets and Gatchina amaze the imagination with their beauty, and the number of tourists approaches zero. True, the fountains of Peterhof are no longer working at this time, but boats sail along the canals until the end of November.

White Nights

There is an opinion among ordinary people that white nights are a period of time when the sun does not set at all. In reality, White Nights are nights during which natural light never gets too low, i.e. the whole night consists only of twilight. In St. Petersburg, the peak of white nights falls on June 22, and officially white nights last from June 11 to July 2. In fact, throughout the summer the length of the day in St. Petersburg is much longer than, for example, in Moscow.

Much brighter and longer nights are observed in cities north of St. Petersburg, for example, Arkhangelsk or Murmansk. Murmansk is located beyond the Arctic Circle, so in winter another phenomenon is observed there - the polar night, i.e. There are days in the year when the sun does not rise at all.

Holidays in St. Petersburg

Every year, many holidays are celebrated in the northern capital. There are especially many special occasions in the summer and spring. Many of them will be of interest to tourists and those who come to St. Petersburg for work.

During the holidays, unique events are held that are impossible to see on ordinary days. For example, fireworks or fireworks (on Victory Day, City Day or Navy Day), a sailing regatta in the waters of the Neva, a concert with the participation of popular artists on Palace Square or on the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island. Such concerts are completely free, and if you want to see your idol listed in the program, then you should take a seat near the stage in advance.

On the other hand, holidays can create certain problems due to restrictions on movement around the city center, rising hotel costs, lack of railway and other tickets for sale, and simply crowds of people around attractions. We recommend that you familiarize yourself with popular events so that you can adjust the dates of your trip.

Perhaps the most common question from tourists who are going to St. Petersburg is when the northern capital becomes the “city of white nights.”

Taking a boat ride to the bridge draw and seeing it in almost daylight sounds good, doesn’t it?

Shipowner contacts

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

Many sources say that white nights begin in St. Petersburg in 2019 strictly on June 11 and end on July 2. In fact, everything is completely different.

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".

It's surprising that many people confuse them with the polar day. During a polar day, the sun does not set beyond the horizon at all, but essentially moves along the horizon. If you are interested in this particular phenomenon, then you should head closer to the pole, for example, to Vorkuta, Naryan-Mar, Norilsk, Salekhard or Usinsk.

On a white night, the sun goes below the horizon, but not far, falling below the horizon at a slight angle. What is happening on the street is not day, but twilight, and the closer the sun is to the horizon, the brighter it is.

There is even a division of twilight into the so-called “civil” (lighter), when the stars are not visible, and “marine” (“navigational”) - when the main stars are already noticeable 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°.

To understand: in Moscow, evening “civil” 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 classic “white nights” are when “civil” evening twilight does not turn into “sea” twilight, but immediately becomes morning. All objects are visible around the clock; no additional lighting is needed on the streets.

There’s 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 we approach it formally, there are no such nights: 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're unlikely to notice it, and here's why.

Average daylight hours.

Here is a table from the officer's handbook that illustrates the length of daylight hours.

date		Latitude of place
		64°	58°	52°
May	1 11 21	16 46 17 52 18 56	15 37 16 23 17 04	14 52 15 28 15 58
June	1 11 21	20 00 20 44 21 00	17 42 18 04 18 11	16 24 16 38 16 45
July	1 11 21	20 45 20 04 19 07	18 03 17 42 17 10	16 40 16 24 16 02
August	1 11 21	17 58 16 53 15 48	16 29 15 43 14 55	15 29 14 56 14 20

Notice how at latitude 64° there is a period from May 21 to the end of July, in which there are more than 19 hours of daylight and less than 5 hours of night time with twilight.

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

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?

As for public utilities, they are closer to the “practical” point of view. State Unitary Enterprise Lensvet (www.lensvet.spb.ru) approves outdoor lighting schedules every year.

If you look at the lighting schedule in 2019, you can immediately see when the white nights will begin and end, according to Lensvet. This is the time when the streets will be illuminated only until three in the morning, i.e. from the end of May to the second ten days 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 even at the end of May: for example, the St. Petersburg Economic Forum, which usually took place in mid-June, was last held from 1 to 3.06, and in 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 with 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 room in a hotel or for a holiday at this time, so you should prepare in advance.

Let's summarize.

So, how long does the period of white nights last in St. Petersburg?

1. In a 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 from approximately May 25 to July 15.

Picturesque white nights are deservedly considered the calling card of the Northern capital: the beautiful pearlescent shine of the sky and clouds, the air is filled with ringing transparency, and romantics walking around the city are ready to be among the splendor of St. Petersburg parks, bridges and embankments around the clock.

When do white nights begin in St. Petersburg? Of course, there is no exact date for the beginning of the white nights. At the end of May, the nights begin to get lighter every day, and the peak of this fabulous time falls on the 20th of June. But it must be said that the idea that white nights are certainly “Come to St. Petersburg in June!” - a well-promoted PR stunt for tourists, of whom there are an incredible number in the city these days. At the end of June and most of July, the white nights are no worse, and at the same time, there are no such queues near the main attractions. During the white nights, St. Petersburg lives its own life - people go to work, transport runs only during the day. Only the lights are not turned on. St. Petersburg residents have a simple way of getting around: if the bridges on the Neva are open, it means it’s already past 12 o’clock at night. And most importantly - the incredible, lively, cheerful and at the same time touching atmosphere of the charm of the white nights, when there are more people on the streets than during the day. This is because the time praised by so many writers and poets is truly the best opportunity to enjoy quiet walks around the city. What else to do on white nights in St. Petersburg 2017? During this period, many festivals, open airs and mass events take place in St. Petersburg. In 2017, the end of May marks City Day in St. Petersburg, and the end of June marks the spectacular performance “Scarlet Sails” and St. Petersburg graduations. Traditional sightseeing is also a good activity if you know where to go, because in St. Petersburg there are many informal monuments, courtyards, and streets that have only select admirers among St. Petersburg residents. Remember that if you are going to visit the city on the Neva during high season, it is better to book a suitable hotel in advance so as not to overpay. The Rachmaninov Art Hotel, located in the very center, right behind the Kazan Cathedral, has long become a kind of art object for residents and guests of St. Petersburg: here you can not only live in comfort, but also see exhibitions of famous St. Petersburg artists and a collection of photography and antiques. Where else are there white nights? It is worth noting that this phenomenon is not strictly St. Petersburg. They also happen in Arkhangelsk, Murmansk, Cherepovets... For especially beautiful and long white nights, it is worth going to Finland - there for two whole months - June and July - the sun does not set beyond the horizon. It's a delightful polar day. One of the places where you can relax surrounded by amazing Finnish nature, go fishing on a boat and get creative away from the metropolis is

But only those in the Northern capital can see in the unusual natural illumination the magnificent architectural ensemble that brought St. Petersburg the glory of one of the most beautiful cities on the planet.

Bright nights of the Northern capital

In 2018, white nights in St. Petersburg, as always, will begin on June 8 and end on July 5. This is their official time period. This geographical phenomenon is associated with the incidence of sunlight reflected from the upper atmospheric layers on the earth's surface. These days the sun in the city sets below the horizon by a minimum of 7 degrees. In reality, white nights in St. Petersburg are also observed from the end of May, continuing until mid-July. On these days, outside the official period, the sun drops below the horizon by 8-9 degrees, still retaining the reflection effect.

The lightest and shortest nights are on the days of the summer solstice. Their duration is about 19 hours. You can photograph St. Petersburg sights without flash at any hour of the day.

The period of white nights sees the greatest influx of tourists. These lucky ones are given a unique opportunity to see and compare outstanding architectural monuments during the day and in the bright twilight of the conditional night. People walking around the city at this time are overcome by a feeling of unreality and fabulousness of what is happening. They are filled with a rare feeling of the harmony of existence, when it seems that the human soul finds that perfect peace within itself, to which it strives throughout its earthly life...

Cultural events

Annual holidays coincide with the period of summer nights. “City Day” is celebrated on May 27. The culmination of the holiday is the “Classics on Palace Square” concert, in which the world’s leading opera singers perform on the main square of the city.

The All-Russian school leavers' ball "Scarlet Sails" is usually celebrated on the Saturday closest to the shortest white night, June 22. In 2018 it is the 23rd. The city administration announces the exact date at the end of May.

The holiday begins on Palace Square and Vasilyevskaya Strelka with a theatrical concert. That same night from half past one in the Neva water area a grandiose light and pyrotechnic show is shown. A ship with scarlet sails passes along the river, accompanied by music, fireworks and light effects. This climactic event lasts half an hour and is watched by over 2 million viewers.

Several traditional festivals are organized during this period of the year. One of them, the “Stars of the White Nights” festival of classical art, has been held for more than half a century. The Mariinsky Theater will feature opera and ballet performances and concerts of symphonic and chamber music.

Walking around St. Petersburg on a white night

Many travel companies in St. Petersburg organize excursions on white nights.

• Take the metro to Nevsky Prospekt, getting off at the station of the same name.
• After going outside, head towards the Admiralty, making sure that Pushkin’s words are correct that “the Admiralty needle is bright.”
• Turning onto Moika Embankment, walk past the old two-story houses.
• After crossing the Pevchesky Bridge, head to Palace Square and admire the night illumination of its Alexandria Column and buildings.
• Head towards Admiralteysky Prospekt and walk to the Alexander Garden with illuminated trees.
• Continue towards St. Isaac's Cathedral. During the white nights from June 1, you can climb its colonnade until 04:30 in the morning. Those who climb the 211 steps are rewarded with a mesmerizing panorama of the Admiralty, Winter Palace, Kazan Cathedral and Nevsky Prospekt. From here you can watch the bridges being built.
• But it’s better to approach the Palace Embankment at 1 am and see the layout of the bridge of the same name at 1:25 am.

The drawing of the bridges can also be observed from a pleasure boat departing from the pier near the Palace Bridge at 01:10 at night. There are two other options - at 00:20 and at 01:15 from here. The river walk will adequately complete the pedestrian walk.