Shortest day of winter

| December 21st, 2009 | By: Bijoy Bora | Category: Science/Tech

NEW Delhi: Today is the shortest day of winter. It is a day when the Earth’s axis tilts the farthest from the Sun and is called winter solstice, a term derived from Latin words ‘sol’ (sun) and ‘sistere’ (to stand still).

A solstice is an astronomical event which happens twice each year, when the tilt of the Earth’s axis is most inclined toward or away from the Sun, causing the Sun’s apparent position in the sky to reach its northernmost or southernmost extreme, Science Popularisation Association of Communicators and Educators (SPACE) President C B Devgun said.

On the day of winter solstice, North Pole points directly away from the Sun and South Pole points directly towards the Sun, he said, adding the Sun shines at lowest heights in Northern skies and at maximum heights in Southern skies. This results in the shortest day in the Northern Hemisphere, but at the same time it’s the longest day in Southern Hemisphere. Devgun said winter solstice indicates peak of the cold season.

After this, the length of the day starts increasing and it reaches a point where day and night become equal in length at Vernal or Spring Equinox. The day continues to grow longer till summer solstice, the longest day, he added.

Latest Top Stories:

DU students to elect new leaders today
New Delhi: Delhi University students today cast their votes to elect a new union in a poll which will decide the fate of 41… »
High profile wedding of Rajinikanth’s daughter
Chennai: Superstar Rajinikanth's younger daughter Soundarya has tied the knot with Ashwin, a Chennai based entrepreneur at a… »
Woman IPS officer dragged, beaten by colleagues in UP
Bareilly: A woman Indian Police Service (IPS) officer was assaulted by police constables in Bareilly district of Uttar… »
Sonia Gandhi becomes Congress president for the 4th time
New Delhi: Sonia Gandhi was chosen president of the ruling Congress for the fourth time, with all party office bearers… »
Four Indian wrestlers fail dope tests, suspended
New Delhi: Four wrestlers were axed from the Indian squad on Thursday for failing dope tests barely a month before the… »
Three tainted Pakistan cricketers suspended by ICC
London: Three Pakistan cricketers Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir were last night charged under the… »
Aspirants panic as CAT website hosts malware
New Delhi: Aspirants for the Common Admission Test (CAT) conducted for admission into the most prestigious management… »
PIL challenging IIPM’s legality adds to its woes
New Delhi: Days after the University Grants Commission (UGC) made it clear that the Indian Institute of Planning and Management… »
CWG: US issues security alert to its citizens
Washington: Noting that it has no specific information on terrorist threat during the upcoming Commonwealth Games in New Delhi,… »
Ajay Devgan fined Rs 200 for publicly smoking in Goa
Panaji: Bollywood actor Ajay Devgan paid a fine of Rs 200 to the Panaji police on Wednesday for smoking in a public place while… »