almost solstice

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Winter Solstice

Sat., Dec. 22, 2007, 1:08 A.M. EST (06:08 UT), marks the solstice--the

beginning of winter in the Northern Hemisphere and summer in the

Southern Hemisphere

by Ann-Marie Imbornoni

 

The precise moment of the 2007 solstice will be Sat., Dec. 22, 1:08

A.M. EST (06:08 UT).

 

 

 

 

In astronomy, the solstice is either of the two times a year when the

Sun is at its greatest distance from the celestial equator, the great

circle on the celestial sphere that is on the same plane as the

earth's equator. In the Northern Hemisphere, the winter solstice

occurs either December 21 or 22, when the sun shines directly over the

tropic of Capricorn; the summer solstice occurs either June 21 or 22,

when the sun shines directly over the tropic of Cancer. In the

Southern Hemisphere, the winter and summer solstices are reversed.

 

Reason for the Seasons

The reason for the different seasons at opposite times of the year in

the two hemispheres is that while the earth rotates about the sun, it

also spins on its axis, which is tilted some 23.5 degrees towards the

plane of its rotation. Because of this tilt, the Northern Hemisphere

receives less direct sunlight (creating winter) while the Southern

Hemisphere receives more direct sunlight (creating summer). As the

Earth continues its orbit the hemisphere that is angled closest to the

sun changes and the seasons are reversed.

 

Longest Night of the Year

The winter solstice marks the shortest day and the longest night of

the year. The sun appears at its lowest point in the sky, and its

noontime elevation appears to be the same for several days before and

after the solstice. Hence the origin of the word solstice, which comes

from Latin solstitium, from sol, " sun " and -stitium, " a stoppage. "

Following the winter solstice, the days begin to grow longer and the

nights shorter.

 

 

Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance.

Confucius