Winter
Solstice
The winter solstice occurs at the instant when
the Sun's position in the sky is at its greatest
angular distance on the other side of the equatorial
plane from the observer. Depending on the shift
of the calendar, the event of the winter solstice
occurs some time between December 20 and December
23 each year in the northern hemisphere, and
between June 20 and June 23 in the southern hemisphere,
during either the shortest day or the longest
night of the year, which is not to be confused
with the darkest day or night or the day with
the earliest sunset or latest sunrise. Though
the Winter Solstice lasts an instant, the term
is also used to refer to the full 24-hour period.
Worldwide, interpretation of the event has varied
from culture to culture, but most cultures have
held a recognition of rebirth, involving holidays,
festivals, gatherings, rituals or other celebrations
around that time.
The seasonal significance of the Winter Solstice
is varied, since it is sometimes said to astronomically
mark either the beginning or middle of a hemisphere's
Winter. Winter is a subjective term, so there
is no scientifically established beginning or
middle of winter but the Winter Solstice itself
is clearly defined within a second.
The word solstice derives from Latin sol (sun)
and sistere (to stand still), Winter Solstice
meaning Sun standstill in winter.
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