Winter is coming. Our ancestors celebrated the winter solstice, the longest night of the year, with festivals marking the cycle of death and rebirth. Since then, astronomers have determined the scientific basis for Earth’s seasons, and even discovered winters on other planets, while communities around the world still celebrate with age-old traditions. This year, snuggle up under a cozy blanket with a toasty cup of hot cocoa and learn more about the science, culture, and legends behind this annual event.
Advertisement
The Winter Solstice Occurs at a Specific Moment
Most people observe the winter solstice as a day on the calendar — usually December 21 or 22 in the Northern Hemisphere — that marks the beginning of the coldest season. Astronomically speaking, however, the winter solstice occurs when the sun appears directly overhead at noon at the Tropic of Capricorn. This invisible line circles the planet at 23°26’22” south latitude and runs through Paraguay, Namibia, Australia, and other countries. The winter solstice corresponds with the exact moment the Northern Hemisphere reaches its maximum tilt away from the sun.
In the Southern Hemisphere, the timing and locatio
What You Need to Know About Winter Solstice: Traditions and Facts
The winter solstice is the shortest day and longest night of the year, heralding the start of winter. It happens when Earth’s tilt is farthest from the Sun. This event, known as the Solstice Winter, has historical importance and is celebrated across cultures. Discover its traditions, significance, and how to celebrate it.
Key Takeaways
The winter solstice, occurring around December 21 or 22, signifies the shortest day and longest night of the year, marking the official start of astronomical winter in the Northern Hemisphere.
Culturally significant celebrations, such as Yule, Saturnalia, and the Dongzhi Festival, reflect diverse traditions that honor the transition from darkness to light and emphasize community, family, and renewal.
The winter solstice has profound astronomical significance, highlighting Earth’s axial tilt and orbit, which influence seasonal changes and connect humanity to broader cosmic patterns.
Understanding the Winter Solstice
The winter solstice marks the first day of winter, a moment when Earth’s poles reach their maximum tilt away from the Sun, resulting in the shortest day o
21 Cool Facts About The Winter Solstice
In the days leading up to the winter solstice, the nights grow longer and colder. Once the moment has passed, the days will grow longer, and the Earth will start to warm up again.
Apart from its astronomical significance, the day holds cultural importance, with many people seeing it as a time of rebirth and celebration.
Read on to learn why families worldwide come together to celebrate the winter solstice!
The winter solstice occurs twice a year: once in the Southern Hemisphere on June 20 or 21 and once in the Northern Hemisphere on December 21 or
In the Northern Hemisphere, at noon on the winter solstice, the Sun sits directly above the Tropic of Capricorn. When the Southern Hemisphere has its winter solstice, it sits above the Tropic of Cancer.
The word solstice comes from the Latin and old English solstitium, with sol meaning “Sun”and sistere meaning “to stand still.” The first known use of the word was in the 14th century.
The winter solstice occurs because as the Earth spins on its axis, the north and south poles tilt away from the Sun. This makes the winter solstice the shortest day and longest night in either hemispher
8 Things to Know About the Winter Solstice
The winter solstice—arguably the least popular of the two solstices—occurs on the shortest day and longest night of the year. After this day toward the end of December, we say goodbye to short days and look forward to the extra hours of sunlight ahead in the new year.
Want to learn more about the winter solstice and why it occurs each year? Here is a collection of curious winter solstice facts.
1. There Are Actually Two Winter Solstices Every Year
Did you know the other side of the planet gets a winter solstice, too? With the planet's orbit tilted on its axis, Earth's hemispheres swap who gets direct sun over the course of a year.
Even though the Northern Hemisphere is closer to the sun during December, the tilt away from the sun results in less direct sunlight and that causes cold temperatures—and in turn, the Southern Hemisphere gets more direct sunlight and is toasty.
So while our winter solstice is around Dec. 21, the Southern Hemisphere celebrates the same around June
2. The Winter Solstice Happens in the Blink of an Eye
Although the solstice is marked by a whole day on the calendar, it's actually
Biographies you may also like
Biography about wendy mass biography Wendy Mass is an award-winning author of young-adult fiction and nonfiction.
Jayanthi gopalakrishnan biography of rory gilmore Following the mother-daughter duo of Lorelai Gilmore — played by Lauren Graham — and Rory — played by Alexis Bledel — the show was perfectly made for .
Nemeh sabbagh biography sample paper SABBAGH, ELIAS N. On Monday, July 14, of Falls Church, VA. Husband of Alice Sabbagh; father of Nemeh Sabbagh, Mai Sabbagh, and Maha Farah. Funeral services Missing: sample paper.
Vinod kapri biography of william shakespeare William Shakespeare was indisputably among the top English-language poets and playwrights of all time. He was born in the village of Stratford-upon-Avon in April and died there in April Missing: vinod kapri.
Biography of muhammad auwal adam albania zaria Sheikh Muhammad Auwal Adam ALBANI ZARIA, has his origins from Kano State in Northern Nigeria but was born in Muchia Sabon Gari, Zaria on 27th September His formative .
Edwin hubble discoveries Edwin Hubble changed the way we thought of the Universe forever. When scientists decided to name the Hubble Space Telescope after him, they could not have made .