The winter solstice, observed around December 21st in the Northern Hemisphere, marks the longest night of the year.
A significant global event is set for 10:27 p.m. EST on Thursday, December 21, 2023. At that time, the sun will be directly above the Tropic of Capricorn in the southern hemisphere.
The winter solstice marks the official start of winter north of the equator, while simultaneously, it’s the beginning of summer south of the equator, signaling the start of a new season.
Feeling a bit puzzled? No need to worry. It’s a straightforward explanation about life on a planet with a tilted axis. Take a moment to reflect on why the sun’s intensity changes throughout the year, bringing about different seasons. This phenomenon is all due to the way things work in the sky, shaping life on Earth.
In straightforward terms, it’s the start of winter in the north and summer in the south. In the north, we experience the shortest day and longest night, while in the south, it’s the longest day and shortest night of the year.
This happens because our planet spins. Imagine Earth like a spinning top – it’s tilted by 23.5 degrees. As we travel around the sun, different parts of Earth get varying amounts of sunlight. Scientists believe this tilt was caused by a significant collision billions of years ago.
During this week’s solstice, it’s a bit like a game of peek-a-boo with the sun in the northern hemisphere. It’s tilted away, making the sun seem lower in the sky. At the same time, in the southern hemisphere, the sun is right over the Tropic of Capricorn, providing lots of sunlight and longer days.
The solstice is a significant moment when it seems like the sun takes a break in its journey. Dr. Minjae Kim, a Research Fellow at the University of Warwick, explains that on this day, the sun appears to pause and change direction, leading to the term “solstice.” The word comes from Latin, meaning “sun stands still.” This pause occurs as the sun reaches its southernmost point against the backdrop of stars.
In the northern hemisphere, the days will gradually get longer until we experience an equal 12 hours of daylight and darkness at the March equinox. During this equinox, Earth’s axis is positioned side-on to the sun.
As we approach the June solstice, the situation reverses. The sun is now above the Tropic of Cancer, 23.5 degrees north of the equator, bringing summer to the northern hemisphere and winter to the southern hemisphere.
Kim clarified that the reason we experience different seasons is because the Earth tilts a bit as it orbits the sun. This tilt not only causes changes in the weather but also leads to variations in the length of days and nights throughout the year.
Throughout the year, the sun has different rising and setting points on the horizon. While regular sunrise and sunset watchers may notice this, many of us might not. The solstices mark the most extreme points. For example, during the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere, the sun will rise in the southeast and set in the southwest.
How To Observe Solstice
Even though the solstice is a significant moment in our journey around the sun, not many people celebrate it, especially in winter with other holidays close by.
A fun way to acknowledge it is by watching the sunrise or sunset on solstice day. Ancient places like Stonehenge seem to have known about this tradition. If that doesn’t interest you, just step outside after dark for some stargazing. This year, you’ll catch sight of a very bright Jupiter high up in the south-eastern night sky, appearing right after sunset. It’s like a special bonus show!