Question

for which astronomical body is it possible for the sun to remain overhead for years at a time at either pole, and for the equator to receive almost no sunlight for years?

Answer 1

The scenario where the Sun remains overhead at the poles for years and the equator receives almost no sunlight for years does not correspond to any known celestial body's behavior. On Earth, these phenomena occur to a lesser extent, with the midnight sun being visible at the poles during summer months and the equator receiving plentiful sunlight year-round.

Step-by-step explanation:

The astronomical body described in the question does not conform to the behavior of any known planet or celestial body, including Earth. On Earth, the Sun does not remain overhead at the poles for years at a time. It is during the Summer Solstice in each respective hemisphere that the Sun remains visible for 24 hours a day at the poles; this phenomenon is called the midnight sun.

However, this only lasts for a few months, not years. Likewise, Earth's equator receives plentiful sunlight throughout the year and does not experience periods of almost no sunlight for years. Therefore, the scenario described is hypothetical and not based on real-world astronomy.