THE SOLSTICE

December 21 marks a turning point in the year.  From now until June 21, we will experience increasing amounts of daylight.  December 21 is the Winter Solstice and marks the first day of winter.  It is the date of the longest night of the year and least amount of daylight.  Of course, I’m assuming you are in the northern hemisphere!  In the southern hemisphere, they are experiencing the longest of days and the shortest of nights.  How can this be?  The earth is tilted at a 23.5-degree angle.  The light from the sun doesn’t evenly strike it.  The greatest amount of sunlight bobs around the equator and for the most part, the amount of day and night are equal (as are the temperatures!).  Move to the northern hemisphere and the amount of sunlight is dependent upon what angle the earth is at in it’s orbit around the sun.  In summer, we are tilted toward the sun.  In winter, we are tilted away.  Just the opposite occurs for those in the southern hemisphere.  Which is why New Zealanders might choose to spend Christmas on the beach (it is summer there!).