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Scientific Overview of the Winter Solstice

The Winter Solstice is a phenomenon where one of Earth’s poles tilts farthest away from the Sun. This tilt, approximately 23.5 degrees from the plane of Earth’s orbit, results in the shortest day and longest night in the Hemisphere. In 2024, the Winter Solstice falls on Saturday, December 21. This universal marvel is more than just an astronomical event; it signifies the relationship between Earth and the Sun. It marks the return of longer days and is a time for family gatherings and celebration.

What Exactly Is the Winter Solstice?

Simply put, the December Solstice occurs when the amount of daily sunlight decreases to its minimum, resulting in shorter days and longer nights. This event is caused by the tilt of Earth’s axis away from the Sun. Throughout the year, the Northern and Southern Hemispheres receive varying amounts of sunlight based on their tilt towards or away from the Sun during Earth’s Revolution.

This axial tilt causes seasonal changes. When the North Pole tilts farthest from the Sun, the South Pole experiences its longest daylight hours. During this time, the Northern Hemisphere undergoes its shortest day and longest night of the year, while the Southern Hemisphere enjoys extended daylight hours.

When and at What Time?

The winter solstice occurs on specific dates in each hemisphere. In the Northern Hemisphere, it always falls on December 21 or December 22. For 2024, the Winter Solstice is on Saturday, December 21. The exact timing varies by location:

India: The solstice moment is at 2:49 PM IST, with sunrise at 7:10 AM and sunset at 5:29 PM.
London: The event takes place at 9:49 AM GMT.
New York: The solstice occurs at 4:49 AM EST.

In the Southern Hemisphere, the winter solstice is observed every year on June 20 or June 21. Winter solstice can vary each year according to the Earth’s irregular orbit around the Sun. NASA explains that Earth’s 365.25-day orbital cycle does not perfectly align with the 365-day Gregorian calendar, leading to the addition of a leap day every four years to account for this discrepancy.