Winter Solstice 11:48 p.m. ET on Dec. 21 https:
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Posted On: 12/21/2015 9:00:38 PM
Winter Solstice 11:48 p.m. ET on Dec. 21
Monday is the winter solstice so the night will be the longest of the year.
What’s a solstice and why is my day going to drag on? Here are five things to know about the longest night of the year.
1. What is a winter solstice?
The winter solstice (solstice is Latin for “sun standing still”) happens at the same time for everyone on Earth. It represents the exact moment when the Northern Hemisphere is tilted at its furthest point away from the sun.
2. Why is this night any longer than any other night?
The night is longer because you will see the fewest hours of sunlight in the Northern Hemisphere today as the earth hits its farthest tipping point. The sun is directly over the Tropic of Capricorn, with more sunlight seen in the Southern Hemisphere.
3. Is the winter solstice celebrated?
It sure is, and has been for centuries. Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus on Dec. 25, just days after the solstice, and many believe the date of Dec. 25 was chosen to overshadow the pagan celebrations of Saturnalia and Natalis Invicti, according to timeanddate.com.
The word “Yule” -- used to describe the Christmas season -- is believed to have come from the Norse word “jol” which referred to the winter solstice festival. Wiccans celebrate Alban Arthan – or the rebirth of the Sun God. Today, celebrations are set for Poland, Pakistan, Iran and Guatemala, among other places around the world.
4. I thought the solstice was on always on Dec. 21. Why is it on the 22nd in some places this year?
Technically, the solstice can happen any day between Dec. 20 and Dec. 23 because the calendars we use aren’t the same length as a solar year. The 2015 solstice happens on Tuesday in some places because the official time is 4:48 a.m. UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) on Dec. 22 (or 11:48 p.m. ET on Dec. 21)
5. When is the shortest night of the year?
The summer solstice happens in June. Take the winter solstice explanation and flip it – Northern Hemisphere tilted toward the sun, longer days, shorter nights.
Monday is the winter solstice so the night will be the longest of the year.
What’s a solstice and why is my day going to drag on? Here are five things to know about the longest night of the year.
1. What is a winter solstice?
The winter solstice (solstice is Latin for “sun standing still”) happens at the same time for everyone on Earth. It represents the exact moment when the Northern Hemisphere is tilted at its furthest point away from the sun.
2. Why is this night any longer than any other night?
The night is longer because you will see the fewest hours of sunlight in the Northern Hemisphere today as the earth hits its farthest tipping point. The sun is directly over the Tropic of Capricorn, with more sunlight seen in the Southern Hemisphere.
3. Is the winter solstice celebrated?
It sure is, and has been for centuries. Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus on Dec. 25, just days after the solstice, and many believe the date of Dec. 25 was chosen to overshadow the pagan celebrations of Saturnalia and Natalis Invicti, according to timeanddate.com.
The word “Yule” -- used to describe the Christmas season -- is believed to have come from the Norse word “jol” which referred to the winter solstice festival. Wiccans celebrate Alban Arthan – or the rebirth of the Sun God. Today, celebrations are set for Poland, Pakistan, Iran and Guatemala, among other places around the world.
4. I thought the solstice was on always on Dec. 21. Why is it on the 22nd in some places this year?
Technically, the solstice can happen any day between Dec. 20 and Dec. 23 because the calendars we use aren’t the same length as a solar year. The 2015 solstice happens on Tuesday in some places because the official time is 4:48 a.m. UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) on Dec. 22 (or 11:48 p.m. ET on Dec. 21)
5. When is the shortest night of the year?
The summer solstice happens in June. Take the winter solstice explanation and flip it – Northern Hemisphere tilted toward the sun, longer days, shorter nights.
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