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Winter Solstice arrives Dec. 27
Exact moment for 2023 is 9:27 p.m.
By Virginia Ekstrand
Dec. 21, 2023 12:00 am
The word solstice is derived from the Latin sol ("sun") and sistere ("to stand still"), because at the solstices, the sun's declination appears to "stand still"; that is, the seasonal movement of the sun's daily path (as seen from Earth) pauses at a northern or southern limit before reversing direction. The axis of rotation of earth on its own axis is aligned north-south. This axis is tilted at 23.5 degrees to the plane of the earth’s orbit around the sun. This causes the sun to appear to move north for six months and south the other six months. Winter Solstice marks the sun’s southernmost latitude.
Six things mark the day.
- The winter solstice is actually a very specific moment which is over almost as soon as it has begun. The solstice marks the point at which the sun is exactly overhead the Tropic of Capricorn. This year, that’s at 9:27 p.m.
- The sun stands still momentarily as it appears to reverse its direction. For the winter solstice, the sun begins moving northward.
- The winter solstice marks the first day of winter in the astronomical calendar whereas in the meteorological calendar, winter began three weeks ago.
- The day is actually nine hours shorter than the summer solstice. Daylight has dropped from about 16.5 hours down to 7.5 hours.
- The earliest sunset does not actually fall on the day of the winter solstice. That is because our clocks do not actually meet the earth’s orbit time. True solar noon is about 10 minutes earlier than 12 p.m., and so sunset arrives a little later. The earliest sunset has already occurred a few days prior.
- The solstice and Christmas are closely associated. Celebrations have always been common around the solstices and equinoxes. Many of the traditions have been absorbed into Christmas. The Yule, the 12-day festival centered around the solstice is responsible for the Christmas tree, Yule log and the Christmas wreath.
Why do some feel weary during the winter? Increased melatonin production and the energy spent resisting colder weather and darker days are to blame. Getting as much sunshine as possible can help fight this. At any rate — have a great holiday season and try to enjoy the long clear nights with beautiful stars.
