Your support helps us tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to big tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the finances of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word,’ which shines a light on American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know the importance of analyzing the facts of messaging. .
At such a critical moment in American history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to continue sending journalists to tell both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to block Americans from our reporting and analysis with a paywall. We believe that quality journalism should be available to everyone, and paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes a difference.
The winter solstice is Saturday, bringing the shortest day and longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere – ideal conditions for holiday lights and warm blankets.
For those who would rather have more sunlight, you can try to get to the southern hemisphere, where it is summer. Or be patient: Starting Sunday, the days in the Northern Hemisphere will get a little longer every day until the end of June.
These annual changes in sunlight as Earth It revolves around the sun and has been well known to people for centuries. Monuments such as Stonehenge in England and Torreon in Peru‘s Machu Picchu they are partly designed to coincide with the solstices.
Here’s what you need to know about how the Earth’s march around the Sun divides the year.
What is the solstice?
As the Earth travels around the Sun, it does so at an angle. For most of the year, the Earth’s axis is tilted toward or away from the Sun. This means that the sun’s heat and light fall unequally on the northern and southern halves of the planet.
The solstices mark the periods during the year when the Earth is at its greatest tilt towards or away from the Sun. This means that the hemispheres receive very different amounts of sunlight – and the days and nights are very unequal.
During the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, the upper half of the Earth is tilted away from the sun, creating the shortest day and longest night of the year. The winter solstice falls between December 20 and 23.
Meanwhile, during the summer solstice, the northern hemisphere faces the sun, resulting in the longest day and shortest night of the year. This solstice falls between June 20 and 22.
What is an equinox?
During the spring and autumn equinoxes, the Earth’s axis and its orbit align so that both hemispheres receive an equal amount of sunlight.
The word equinox comes from two Latin words meaning equal and night. That’s because on the equinox, day and night last nearly the same amount of time—though one may gain a few extra minutes, depending on where you are on the planet.
The spring or vernal equinox of the northern hemisphere can land between March 19 and 21, depending on the year. Its autumnal – or autumnal – equinox can land between September 21 and 24.
What is the difference between meteorological and astronomical seasons?
These are just two different ways to distinguish a year.
Meteorological seasons are determined by weather. They divide the year into three-month seasons based on annual temperature cycles. According to that calendar, spring begins on March 1, summer on June 1, autumn on September 1, and winter on December 1.
Astronomical seasons depend on how the Earth moves around the Sun.
The solstice marks the beginning of summer and winter. The equinoxes mark the beginning of spring and autumn.
___
The Associated Press Department of Health and Science receives support from the Medical Science and Education Group of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. The AP is solely responsible for all content.