Bhubaneswar, Dec 22: As the year 2023 progresses towards its close, anticipation builds for the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year and India to witness shortest day of the year today i.e 22nd December.

Here's all you need to know-

The Winter Solstice is a phenomenon that occurs annually when the Northern Hemisphere is tilted furthest away from the sun, resulting in the longest night and the shortest day of the year.

The Earth is tilted 23.4 degrees on its axis, so if the Earth's pole is pointing towards or away from the Sun during the day, the arc the Sun travels through will rise and fall during the year. The northern hemisphere minimum, or when the sun is at its lowest point in the sky, is the winter solstice.

The word “solstice” comes from the Latin words “sol” (sun) and “sistere” (to stand still), according to Merriam Webster dictionary. It reflects the phenomenon where the sun’s apparent movement in the sky temporarily stops before reversing direction. Thus after this day, southern hemisphere starts tilting away from sun and northern towards sun.

Why it's called the shortest day of the year?

The point in the sky where the sun's path is furthest south is called the winter solstice, also known as the December solstice. The day of the year with the least amount of sunlight, and therefore the longest night, is the winter solstice when the sun reaches its shortest path across the sky.

Winter solstice is a stark contrast to the summer solstice, where the same hemisphere enjoys the most extended daylight hours.

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