What is the Winter Solstice?
The beginning of winter is marked by the winter solstice. It’s also the shortest day and longest night of the year in the northern hemisphere.
The summer and winter solstices are caused when the Earth’s tilt toward and away from the sun are at their maximum. During the winter solstice, the Earth’s axis is tilted at its furthest point away from the sun. This means the sun is at its lowest point in the sky. The noontime sun doesn’t get quite as high and the day “feels" darker. Have you ever noticed that the sun’s rays don’t feel quite as strong during the winter?
During the summer solstice the Earth is tilted toward the sun putting it at its highest elevation in the sky resulting in the longest day of the year. Learn even more about the winter solstice.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
