Winter Solstice: The Shortest Day of the Year

By M.C. Millman

Tonight, just after sunset, half of Earth will tilt farthest from the Sun in what is known as the Winter Solstice. 

The Winter Solstice occurs twice each year, once in each hemisphere. It only sometimes falls out on December 21; it can be either on the 21 or the 22 of the month. 

The actual Winter Solstice only lasts a moment, but the term can also refer to the day it falls out. This is the shortest day of the year - or the 24 hours with the least sunlight.

During the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, the Sun is at its lowest point in the sky. At this point, the Northern Hemisphere is tilted farthest from the Sun, making it the shortest day of the year. 

After today, the Northern Hemisphere begins to tilt toward the Sun again, making the days longer until we reach the summer solstice - the day with the most hours of sunlight. 

In the Northern Hemisphere, the winter solstice will occur at 4:48 p.m.