As winter tightens its grip, India is poised to embrace the longest night of the year today, marking the annual Winter Solstice. This celestial event, observed on December 22, signifies a crucial seasonal shift in the Earth’s axial tilt, bringing about the shortest day and the longest night.
Understanding Winter Solstice:
Winter Solstice occurs annually when the Northern Hemisphere is tilted farthest away from the sun. This tilt, measuring at 23.4 degrees on Earth’s axis, results in the shortest day and longest night of the year. Scientifically, as the Earth’s pole points either towards or away from the sun during the day, the sun’s arc across the sky rises and falls throughout the year. The winter solstice marks the northern hemisphere’s minimum tilt and the sun’s lowest point in the sky.
Timings for India:
In India, this year’s Winter Solstice will unfold on December 22, with the phenomenon reaching its peak at 8:57 AM local time. During this day, the Northern Hemisphere will experience approximately 7 hours and 14 minutes of daylight, making it the shortest day of the year.
As the sun takes its lowest trajectory in the sky, the Winter Solstice carries cultural and astronomical significance, with various societies and cultures celebrating or acknowledging the event in their unique ways.
Witnessing the Winter Solstice provides an opportunity to reflect on the Earth’s axial tilt and the ever-changing dance between sunlight and darkness that shapes our seasons.
