The month of December marks the onset of the Winter Solstice or December solstice. It is also supposed to be the shortest day of the year. Read on for what else you should know.
Winter Solstice 2022 will also mark the longest night of the year. The dates for Winter Solstice generally vary between December 21 and 22, however, this year it is falling on December 22. The date for the Winter Solstice differs because the Gregorian calendar has 365 days and an extra leap day added in February every four years.
The timing for Winter Solstice 2022 is around 04:47 am Thai time, that is when the sun is directly over the Tropic of Capricorn. The total duration of this year’s Winter Solstice will be around 10 hours with the sunrise at 08:40 am Thai time and the sunset at 06:59 pm Thai time.
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What is Winter Solstice?
Also known as hiemal solstice or hibernal solstice, this astronomical event occurs when one of the Earth’s poles are tilted away from the sun at a maximum distance. When this happens, the Northern Hemisphere receives lesser amounts of sunlight while the Southern Hemisphere receives plenty of daylight thus resulting in winter and summer season respectively. Post the Winter Solstice, days start to get longer, and the nights will start to get shorter.
Interestingly, this is also the darkest time of year at the North Pole. There has been no sunlight in the Artic Circle since early October and the darkness is set to last until the beginning of early March.
Solstice celebrations from across the globe
The December Solstice — and all other astronomical events including the changing of seasons take place because the Earth is tilted at an angle of about 23.5 degrees relative to the sun. People across the globe follow and celebrate several traditions that are akin to the onset of the Winter Solstice. From Soyal in Arizona to Dong Zhi in China to Yalda in Iran, people celebrate the commencement of longer days by commemorating such traditions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Answer: Winter Solstice falls on Dec 21 or Dec 22 each year. The date for Winter Solstice 2022 is Dec 22.
Answer: Summer Solstice also know as estival solstice occurs when the path of the Sun is farthest north in the Northern Hemisphere or farthest south in the Southern Hemisphere. While Winter Solstice occurs when the path of the Sun is farthest south in the Northern Hemisphere and farthest north in the Southern Hemisphere.
Answer: Summer Solstice marks the onset of summer season and is the longest day of the year while Winter Solstice marks the onset of winter and is the shortest day of the year.
Answer: December 21 or December 22 marks the beginning of Winter Solstice.
Answer: Winter Solstice marks the shortest day of the year.
Romaa Daas is a birdie whose eyes glistens when she hears about art, architecture, and décor. She’s passionate about reading novels especially one that is hardbound. When not working, she’s busy binge-watching K-dramas, and other movies and planning her next itinerary. Her latest fascination is trekking. Romaa is a journalism postgraduate. She has worked with several media organisations in the past including Thomson Reuters and India Today.
