Good news for the Northern Hemisphere, for the next six months days will get longer and brighter! Today, during Winter Solstice (6:12 am EST), the Northern Hemisphere was tipped as far away from the sun as it gets, so now daylight will begin to increase faster the farther north you go
The Science of solstice:
Varied seasons across the globe are possible because of the Earth’s axial tilt. As the Earth orbits the Sun, the axis stays pointed in one direction on the sky. So during the winter, the Northern Hemisphere is tipped away from sun. Thus, the Sun is lower in the sky; it heats the ground less efficiently; and days are shorter.
No Doomsday, just sunnier celebrations ahead!
The middle of winter and brighter days is something to celebrate. It was for ancient cultures as well! While Winter Solstice is celebrated in numerous ways across the globe and by each culture, the Northern Hemisphere cultures have held a recognition of rebirth, involving holidays, festivals, gatherings, rituals or other celebrations around that time!
Happy Winter Solstice!
Resources: Slate.com; WashingtonPost.com; National Geographic
