What Is The Solstice?
QUICK ANSWER
A solstice is when the Sun reaches its highest or lowest point in the sky at noon, producing the longest or shortest day of the year. Solstices happen twice a year, around June 21 and December 21. They mark the astronomical start of summer and winter in their respective hemispheres.
The solstices are the two most extreme moments in Earth's yearly orbit, marking the longest and shortest days of the year. They occur when Earth's axis is tilted most directly toward or away from the Sun. The word solstice comes from Latin meaning sun stands still, capturing the way the Sun appears to pause at its extreme northern or southern position before reversing direction.
What happens at a solstice?
Earth's axis reaches maximum tilt. According to NASA, solstices occur when Earth's axis is pointed directly toward or away from the Sun. Around June 21, the North Pole is tilted 23.5 degrees toward the Sun, producing summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere (longest day) and winter solstice in the Southern (shortest day). Around December 21, the tilt is reversed: winter in the Northern Hemisphere, summer in the Southern. At a solstice, the Sun reaches its highest or lowest point in the noon sky for the year.
Why is it called solstice?
Because the Sun appears to stand still. The word solstice comes from the Latin sol (sun) and stitium (standing). For several days around the solstice, the Sun's noontime position changes very little. It rises and sets at nearly the same points on the horizon for about a week before and after the solstice. Then it begins moving in the opposite direction, slowly at first and then more rapidly. This pause at the extreme position is what gave solstice its name in ancient times.
When do they happen?
Twice a year, around June 21 and December 21. The exact times vary slightly from year to year because Earth's orbit isn't perfectly synced to the calendar. The June solstice usually falls between June 20 and 22. The December solstice usually falls between December 20 and 23. The June solstice is the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere and winter solstice in the Southern. The December solstice is the opposite. Solstice times are known years in advance from orbital calculations.
Why are solstices significant culturally?
They've been celebrated for thousands of years. Many ancient monuments were aligned to solstice sunrises and sunsets, including Stonehenge in England, Newgrange in Ireland, and Chichen Itza in Mexico. The winter solstice has been particularly important because it marks the return of longer days after the year's darkest period. Christmas, Hanukkah, and other winter holidays draw on solstice traditions of celebrating returning light. The summer solstice has midsummer festivals worldwide, including Sweden's Midsommar.
A solstice is when the Sun reaches its highest or lowest point in the sky at noon, producing the longest or shortest day of the year. Solstices happen twice a year, around June 21 and December 21. The name comes from Latin meaning sun stands still, since the Sun appears to pause at its extreme position for several days. Solstices mark the astronomical start of summer and winter and have been celebrated by cultures for thousands of years.
More Earth Questions
Mystery Question?
Mystery Question?
Mystery Question?