Winter soltice today: Northern Hemisphere’s darkest day is here

The winter solstice is approaching, marking the shortest day and longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. This celestial event, occurring between December 20 and 23, brings about the perfect ambiance for cozy holiday lights and snuggling up under warm blankets.

For those yearning for more daylight, a trip to the Southern Hemisphere where it is currently summer might be in order. Alternatively, patience will be rewarded as starting Sunday, the days will gradually lengthen in the Northern Hemisphere until late June.

The significance of the winter solstice and its impact on sunlight distribution has been recognized by civilizations throughout history. Iconic structures like Stonehenge in England and the Torreon at Machu Picchu in Peru were crafted with alignments that correspond to the solstices.

Understanding the solstice requires recognizing the Earth’s tilt as it orbits the sun. This tilt results in varying amounts of sunlight reaching the northern and southern halves of the planet. During the winter solstice, the Northern Hemisphere is tilted away from the sun, leading to the shortest day and longest night of the year. Conversely, the summer solstice sees the Northern Hemisphere tilted towards the sun, resulting in the longest day and shortest night.

In contrast, the equinoxes, occurring in spring and fall, bring about a balance where both hemispheres receive equal amounts of sunlight. The word equinox stems from Latin words meaning equal and night, signifying the nearly equal length of day and night during these periods.

Aside from astronomical seasons, meteorological seasons categorize the year based on weather patterns. Spring, summer, fall, and winter are divided into three-month segments starting on March 1, June 1, September 1, and December 1, respectively. On the other hand, astronomical seasons are determined by the Earth’s position relative to the sun, with solstices marking the onset of summer and winter, and equinoxes heralding the arrival of spring and autumn.

As we marvel at the marvels of the Earth’s journey around the sun, let us appreciate the beauty and intricacies of the changing seasons. Embrace the winter solstice and look forward to the gradual lengthening of days as we inch closer to the warmth of summer.