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Here are 10 things about the December Solstice you might not know:

©bigstockphoto.com/Yanika

1. Winter and Summer Solstice

In the Northern Hemisphere, the December Solstice is the winter solstice and the shortest day of the year.
Sunrise & Sunset in Your City
In the Southern Hemisphere, it is summer solstice and the longest day of the year, because equinoxes and solstices are opposite on opposite sides of the planet.

2. A Specific Point in Time

Most people count the whole day as the December Solstice. However, the Solstice is actually at a specific moment - when the Sun is exactly overhead the Tropic of Capricorn.

In 2018, the December Solstice is on December 21, at 22:23 UTC. Due to the Time Zone difference, some locations will have their solstice on a different date.

3. Second Solstice of the Year

Solstices happen twice a year - once around June 21 and then again around December 21. On the June Solstice, the Sun is directly overhead the Tropic of Cancer (latitude 23° 30′ North) in the Northern Hemisphere, while on the December Solstice, the Sun shines directly over the Tropic of Capricorn (latitude 23° 30′ South) in the Southern Hemisphere.

4. The Date Varies

The December Solstice can happen on December 20, 21, 22 or 23, though December 20 or 23 solstices are rare. The last December 23 solstice was in 1903 and will not happen again until 2303.

5. The Sun 'Stands Still'

The term solstice comes from the Latin word solstitium, meaning 'the Sun stands still'. This is because on this day, the Sun reaches its southern-most position as seen from the Earth. The Sun seems to stand still at the Tropic of Capricorn and then reverses its direction. It's also common to call it the day the Sun turns around.

6. It's the First Day of Astronomical Winter

In the Northern Hemisphere, astronomers and scientists use the December Solstice as the start of the winter season, which ends on the March Equinox. For meteorologists, on the other hand, winter began three weeks ago on December 1.
How are seasons defined?
7. The Earth Isn't Farthest From the Sun

During winter in the Northern Hemisphere, the Earth is actually closest to the Sun. Different seasons are not defined by how far the Earth is from the Sun. Seasons occur because Earth orbits the Sun on a slant, with an axial tilt of around 23.4 degrees. Therefore different amounts of sunlight reaches the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, causing variation in temperatures and weather patterns thoughout the year.

In fact, the Earth is on its Perihelion - the point on the Earth's orbit closest to the Sun - a few weeks after the December Solstice.
Is this timing a coincidence?
8. Earliest Sunset Not on the Solstice

Most places in the Northern Hemisphere see their earliest sunset a few days before the Solstice and their latest sunrise a few days after the Solstice. This happens because of the difference between how we measure time using watches and the time measured by a sundial.
Why isn't the Year's Earliest Sunset on the Winter Solstice?
9. Daylight Hours Increase Faster in the North

If you are in the Northern Hemisphere, the increase rate of daylight hours depends on your location's latitude - in more northern latitudes you will see a rapid increase in daylight hours compared to if you're in the more southern latitudes.
Sunrise and sunset times in your city
10.Celebrated Around the World

Many cultures around the world hold feasts and celebrate holidays around the December Solstice.

Topics: Astronomy, Sun, Seasons, December, Solstice

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Here are 10 things about the December Solstice you might not know: In the Northern Hemisphere, the December Solstice is the winter solstice and the shortest day of the year. Sunrise & Sunset in Your City In the Southern Hemisphere, it is summer solstice and the longest day of the year, because equinoxes and solstices are opposite on opposite sides of the planet.

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7 More Festivals from Around the World

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The winter solstice, the longest night of the year, falls on December 21 or 22 in the Northern Hemisphere and June 20 or 21 in the Southern. Since ancient times, people all over the world have recognized this important astronomical occurrence and celebrated the subsequent "return" of the Sun in a variety of different ways. Old solstice traditions have influenced holidays we celebrate now, such as Christmas and Hanukkah. Here are some solstice traditions both new and old to help light your way to longer days.

Soyal

Kachina dolls Brooklyn Museum, New York, Museum Expedition 1903, Museum Collection Fund (03.325.4653)

Soyal is the winter solstice celebration of the Hopi Indians of northern Arizona. Ceremonies and rituals include purification, dancing, and sometimes gift-giving. At the time of the solstice, Hopi welcome the kachinas, protective spirits from the mountains. Prayer sticks are crafted and used for various blessings and other rituals.

Yalda

The Persian festival Yalda, or Shab-e Yalda is a celebration of the winter solstice in Iran that started in ancient times. It marks the last day of the Persian month of Azar. Yalda is viewed traditionally as the victory of light over dark, and the birthday of the sun god Mithra. Families celebrate together with special foods like nuts and pomegranates and some stay awake all night long to welcome the morning sun.

Inti Raymi

This solstice celebration comes in June rather than December. But for Peru it is a winter solstice, and this Incan celebration is in honor of the Sun god. Originally celebrated by the Inca before the arrival of Spanish conquistadors, the festivities included feasts and sacrifices, of animals or possibly even children. The Spaniards banned the holiday, but it was revived (with mock sacrifices instead of real ones) in the 20th century and is still celebrated today.

Saturnalia

Saturn, Temple of© Stefano Pellicciari/stock.adobe.com

The ancient Roman festival of Saturnalia is perhaps the most closely linked with the modern celebration of Christmas. This festival happened around the time of the winter solstice and celebrated the end of the planting season. There were games and feasts and gift-giving for several days, and social order was inverted-slaves did not work and were briefly treated as equals.

Midwinter in Antarctica

Palmer Station, Antarctica Christopher Michel

Even Antarctica gets its share of solstice celebration, thanks to the researchers staying there over the long, dangerously cold season. While those of us in the Northern Hemisphere are enjoying the most daylight hours, in the Southern Hemisphere they are celebrating Midwinter. Festivities include special meals, films, and sometimes even handmade gifts.

St. Lucia's Day

St. Lucia's Day is a festival of lights celebrated in Scandinavia around the time of the winter solstice. Although it is now meant to honor St. Lucia, a Christian martyr, it has been incorporated with earlier Norse solstice traditions, such as lighting fires to ward off spirits during the longest night. Girls dress up in white gowns with red sashes and wear wreaths of candles on their heads in honor of St. Lucia.

Dong Zhi

Dong Zhi, the "arrival of winter," is an important festival in China. It is a time for family to get together and celebrate the year they have had. Based on the traditional Chinese celestial calendar, the holiday generally falls between the 21st and 23rd of December. It is thought to have started as an end-of-harvest festival, with workers returning from the fields and enjoying the fruits of their labors with family. Special foods, such as tang yuan (glutinous rice balls), are enjoyed.

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This Encyclopedia Britannica society and culture list features 7 traditions celebrated during the winter solstice.

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5 Unique Celebrations

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5 Unique Celebrations of the Winter Solstice Around the World

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The solstice is when the sun seems to "stand still."