The solstice refers to the two points in the Earth's orbit around the sun where the sun is at its highest or lowest point in the sky at noon. There are two solstices that occur each year: the summer solstice and the winter solstice.
The summer solstice occurs around June 21st in the northern hemisphere and around December 21st in the southern hemisphere. During this solstice, the sun is at its highest point in the sky at noon, resulting in the longest day of the year and the shortest night. In the northern hemisphere, it marks the beginning of summer, while in the southern hemisphere, it marks the beginning of winter.
The winter solstice occurs around December 21st in the northern hemisphere and around June 21st in the southern hemisphere. During this solstice, the sun is at its lowest point in the sky at noon, resulting in the shortest day of the year and the longest night. In the northern hemisphere, it marks the beginning of winter, while in the southern hemisphere, it marks the beginning of summer.
The solstices have been widely celebrated and observed by various cultures and religions throughout history. Many celebrations and rituals are associated with these astronomical events, symbolizing rebirth, renewal, and the changing of seasons. Some famous examples include the summer solstice celebration at Stonehenge in England and the winter solstice celebrations at ancient sites like Newgrange in Ireland.
The solstice also has scientific importance as the changing angle of the sun's rays is responsible for the changing of seasons on Earth. The solstices mark the two extreme points in this seasonal cycle, serving as crucial markers for astronomers and scientists studying Earth's orbit and axial tilt.
Solstice
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