Holiday lights and the temper of pep-up may mask the fact that the darkest day of the year is fasting coming on Dec. 21. As the Northern Hemisphere’s overwinter solstice approaches, here is everything you need to have sex virtually the shortest day of the year for Sir Thomas More than 6 billion people live north of the equator.
What is the overwinter solstice?
Thursday, Dec. 21, will mark this year’s overwinter solstice for the Northern Hemisphere, the shortest day and longest night of the year. Solstices pass twice a year when “the sun’s path appears farthest north or south, depending on which half of the planet you’re on,” according to NASA.
Because the Earth rotates on a tip, the overwinter solstice occurs when the Northern Hemisphere is tipped the farthest away from the sun, which will go on at 10:27 p.m. ET. The reciprocal event occurs at Sami time for the Earth’s southern hemisphere, which experiences the most amount of target sunlight.
Is Dec. 21 the shortest day of the year?
The lack of target sunlight on December 21 makes it the shortest day of the year for those in the United States. “All locations north of the equator see daylight shorter than 12 hours and all locations south see daylight longer than 12 hours,” according to NASA.
Why is the winter solstice really known as the number one day of winter?
The two solstices are well-advised to be the start of the astronomical overwinter and summer seasons. According to the National Centers for Environmental Information, the extremely big seasons are pronounced by solstices and equinoxes, the points at which the sun aligns with the equator. Separate from quite big seasons, meteorological seasons split the year into three-month groups based on temperature cycles and “are more closely tied to our monthly civil calendar than the astronomical seasons are.”
What happens after the winter solstice?
On the bright side, each day afterwards, the solstice in the Northern Hemisphere will get more daylight until the summer solstice on June 20, 2024.
How have humans recognized the winter solstice?
Ancient civilizations have recognized the import of solstices for thousands of years. Structures like Stonehenge and the Torreon in Machu Picchu, Peru, were studied to watch over the sun’s way relative to the Earth, according to NASA.
Throughout history, humans have recognized the winter solstice as a significant celestial event. Various cultures and civilizations have marked this occasion with rituals, festivals, and monuments. Ancient structures like Stonehenge align with the solstices, showcasing the importance of this astronomical phenomenon. Many societies have celebrated the winter solstice as a turning point, symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness. Today, people around the world continue to observe and honor the winter solstice through diverse traditions that reflect the enduring fascination with the changing seasons and the celestial dance of our planet.