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Bright lights shine late in Resolute

Jillian Dickens
Northern News Services

Resolute (Nov 28/05) - Martha Idlout has lived in Resolute all her life, and she has never seen it as bright out at this time of the year as it is now.

"Last year at this time it was dark. But when we look to the sky now we can see red, light blue, oranges and a little yellow," said Idlout. "I only used to be able to see dark, dark blue for four months, starting in November."

"It's strange for us to see," she said. "But I like it."

Idlout's partner Wayne Davidson, the weather station operator, has been keeping a close eye on the increasing brightness. He explained the reason for the brightness shown for the particular day photographed.

"For a few days prior it was cold, -25 to -30. Warm air came from above yesterday trapping distant light at the interface causing more brightness. As Inuit see more and more brightness, there is as well, more and more such days when very cold air gets trapped from above."

The warm air is believed to be caused by global warming.

Davidson said Resolute's Inuktitut name - Qausuittuq - means "never tomorrow," because of the 24 hour darkness or 24 hour daylight.