Winter solstice northern hemisphere

1. The magic moment

While many focus on the winter solstice as a day in the calendar, what we are actually talking about is 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, which this year will happen on Saturday, 21 December at 09:21.

2.

The Sun stands still

Like many other astronomical terms, the word solstice comes from Latin.

Winter solstice southern hemisphere

Owing to the Sun appearing to 'standstill' in the sky when it reaches the Tropic of Capricorn, the word solstitium was used which in turn is composed of the words sol (meaning 'sun') and sistere (meaning to 'standstill').

3.

Winter begins

As well as marking the shortest day of the year, the winter solstice marks the first day of winter in the astronomical calendar, whilst in the meteorological calendar, we are already three weeks into winter.

4.

Nine hours darker

You're probably aware that the day of the winter solstice marks the shortest day of the year, b

how long is the winter term

how long is the day during winter solstice