Winter solstice 2018: The term solstice can be defined as the moment or date at when the sun reaches either it’s highest or the lowest point in the sky at noon. Depending on such positions of the sun there are two solstice, one is summer solstice, time when the sun is at its’s maximum elevation and thus has the longest period of sunlight while on the other hand there is winter solstice, when the sun is at it’s minimum elevation and thus has shortest period of sunlight.
Winter solstice meaning and definition
Winter solstice is the time period when sun is at it’s minimum elevation and there will be shortest period of daylight and longest night of the year. Winter solstice happens two times in a year once in each hemisphere, one time in northern hemisphere in December and then in southern hemisphere in the month of June.
Winter solstice date
As India is the part of the northern hemisphere, the winter solstice will occur on Saturday 22nd December in India. The timings for the occurrence of winter solstice will be at 3:53 am. on the given date. Winter solstice is an astronomical phenomenon due to which such changes occure in the day and night. Winter solstice is also known by the name “Midwinter”. In different countries this day is celebrated in different ways basis on their culture and traditions.
Winter solstice in southern hemisphere
As we know that winter solstice occurs twice in a year, once in southern hemisphere region and once in northern hemisphere. The date at which winter solstice occurs in southern hemisphere is Friday 21 June. According to the astronomical definitions winter solstice marks the beginning of the winter season which lasts until the vernal equinox. The winter solstice of southern hemisphere will covers the region of Australia, New Zealand, South America, Southern Africa.
Winter solstice in northern hemisphere
In northern hemisphere winter solstice will occur on Saturday 22nd December. The winter solstice of northern hemisphere will covers the region of North America, Central America, Europe, Asia, northern Africa. In some countries this day is celebrated in a different manner and in other countries there will be a holiday on this day.
