Every morning the sun’s rays stream through our windows indicating that it is time to wake up and start the day. Have you ever wondered though, what it would be like if there was no sunlight at all? Nothing to differentiate between day and night. Sounds crazy but for the Norwegian town of Rjukan, it is a reality for almost 6 months a year!
Why is Rjukan sun-free from September to March? The science explained!
Takk til alle som svarte og likte på luke 23👈🏻Turistsjefen sjekket inn på idylliske Rjukan Hytteby som ligger i Rjukan…
Posted by VisitRjukan on Sunday, December 24, 2017
The town is situated at the bottom of a valley and is surrounded by tall mountains. During winters, the sun isn’t high enough above the mountains. Consequently, the residents used to live in darkness until the year 2013 when “Solspeil” (sun mirror) was installed.
Take a look at the Sun Mirrors that brought light and warmth to Rjukan.
Martin Andersen, an artist and resident installed mirror on the mountain that reflected sunlight to the market square. According to Forbes,
“Each of the three 182-square-foot mirrors are controlled by heliostats, computer-driven motors. They track the movement of the sun across the horizon and constantly reposition the mirrors to keep the reflected light as consistent as possible.”
The cost of this project is estimated to be $750,000 (Rs. 5 crores).
Sola kryper oppover fjellsiden og solspeilet kommer igjen til sin rett😃
Posted by VisitRjukan on Wednesday, October 10, 2018
Earlier, there were many who thought of this project as a waste of money and resources but the positive effects on the residents make it all worth it. Tourists can also hike to these mirrors on foot. They are solar and wind-powered beauties that make for an unforgettable vacation. Also, the locals celebrate the sun’s return with a “sun party” each year. Time to pack our bags, don’t you agree?