What Is Winter Solstice ?

People in the northern hemisphere will experience the shortest day of the year, known as the winter solstice, on 22nd December. As the world bids farewell to longer days and...

Ruby Thakur
December 22, 2023
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People in the northern hemisphere will experience the shortest day of the year, known as the winter solstice, on 22nd December. As the world bids farewell to longer days and ushers in the magic of winter, India prepares for the longest night of the year a phenomenon known as Winter Solstice. Observed on December 22 every year, the event marks a major seasonal transition.

What Is Winter Solstice ?

Why In News

People in the northern hemisphere will experience the shortest day of the year, known as the winter solstice, on 22nd December.

As the world bids farewell to longer days and ushers in the magic of winter, India prepares for the longest night of the year a phenomenon known as Winter Solstice. Observed on December 22 every year, the event marks a major seasonal transition.

Solstice Definition

Origin of the word: The word solstice is derived from the Latin word for sun called sol, and sistere, which means “to come to a stop or make stand”.

A solstice is a phenomenon that occurs when the sun reaches its lowest or highest point in the sky during the year as a result of the Earth’s axis tilting to or away from the sun.
Although the winter solstice itself lasts only for a moment, the term usually refers to the day on which it occurs. It also known as hibernal solstice, marks the official onset of winters in the Northern Hemisphere when Earth’s northern axis faces away from the sun.

The effect of which is shorter days and longer nights in the Northern Hemisphere. Similarly, the winter solstice for the southern hemisphere occurs in June while the northern hemisphere experiences summer solstice.
Each polar region experiences a period of long darkness or twilight during its winter solstice.
In temperate areas, the winter solstice is seen as the middle of winter, while in some countries and calendars, it is seen as the beginning of winter.

Winter Solstice 2023

The winter solstice will be observed in India on December 22 at 8:57 AM. The shortest day of the year will occur in the Northern Hemisphere during the day, with roughly 7 hours and 14 minutes of daylight.

Then, on December 22, Earth’s axis will be designated as the one that is furthest from the sun. This indicates that compared to the summer solstice, the winter solstice’s day is 8 hours, 49 minutes shorter.

Mechanism of Occurrence

The Winter Solstice is a phenomenon that occurs annually when the Northern Hemisphere is tilted furthest away from the sun, resulting in the longest night and the shortest day of the year.
The Earth is tilted 23.4 degrees on its axis, so if the Earth’s pole is pointing towards or away from the Sun during the day, the arc the Sun travels through will rise and fall during the year.

The northern hemisphere minimum, or when the sun is at its lowest point in the sky, is the winter solstice.
Planet Earth not only revolves but also rotates around the sun which results in a change of seasons and day and night, respectively.
During the winter solstice, the part of Earth containing the northern hemisphere, leans farthest away from the sun.
Due to this phenomenon, the temperature of Earth gets colder, and we experience shorter days and longer nights.

Significance Of Winter Solstice

TIn Northern Europe, encompassing the Faroe Islands, Estonia, and Germany, the occasion is known as Yule.

Yule was observed by Norse communities and Anglo-Saxon pagans. Christian traditions have since adopted customs like Yule logs and tree decorations.
In India, the Makar Sankranti festival signifies the end of the month containing the winter solstice, heralding longer days.
Iranians commemorate the winter solstice through Yalda night, the year’s longest and darkest night.

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Ruby Thakur

General Studies Lecturer SSBCrackExams, BSc In PCM, Trained Students For State Services Exams. Expertise in Geography ,Polity & Current Affairs. Love Travelling.