Winter Solstice 2023: On this date in December the night will last for 16 hours, know the science behind the longest ‘night’

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The winter solstice, or December solstice, is the point where the Sun’s path in the sky is furthest south. In the language of science it is also called Dakshinayan. During this time, it becomes night at the North Pole while the sun continues to shine at the South Pole.

What happens during the winter solstice

On the winter solstice the Sun travels the shortest path through the sky, resulting in this day of the year with the least amount of sunlight and, therefore, the longest night. During this period the night lasts for about 16 hours while the day lasts only for about 8 hours.

winter solstice

December 22 is also called winter solstice. In the language of science it is also called Dakshinayan. The night lasts for about 16 hours while the day lasts only for about 8 hours. During this time, it becomes night at the North Pole while the sun continues to shine at the South Pole. This happens because at this time the Earth is tilted about 23.5 degrees on its axis of rotation.

Winter Solstice an annual event

The winter solstice is an annual event, the Earth actually experiences two winter solstices each year. One in the Northern Hemisphere and the other in the Southern Hemisphere. The summer solstice (when this part is tilted toward the Sun) occurs around June 20–21, while the winter solstice occurs around December 21–22.

The science behind the winter solstice?

We now know that the Earth revolves around the Sun which results in changes in seasons and day and night respectively. However, Earth’s axis of rotation is not straight but is tilted at an angle of about 23.5 degrees relative to its orbit around the Sun. Because of this tilt, sunlight has to pass through more of Earth’s atmosphere, causing it to become attenuated and dispersed.

Experience of shorter days and longer nights

This increases the cold and we experience shorter days and longer nights. The Sun appears lower in the sky, causing its shadow to become longer. So, the winter solstice is as if the Earth is tilting slightly away from the Sun, giving us the coldest and darkest part of the year.

Distance from sun increases for 6 months

Now if we talk about the Northern Hemisphere, it remains inclined towards the Sun for 6 months of the year. Due to this, a good amount of sunlight comes throughout this period and it remains warm during these months. In the remaining 6 months, this area moves away from the sun, from then onwards the days start getting shorter.

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