Thaindian News

By Meena Kar
Dec. 21, (THAINDIAN NEWS) It is the time to mark the shortest day of the year. December 21, is the day of winter solstice and people in many countries are shivering from the chilly winds of winter. The winter weather has already affected different regions in the United States and it is expected there can be a significant drop in temperature on the winter solstice.

Winter solstice will commence once the sun moves to the southernmost corner of the earth. According to the reports, this year, the observers have declared 11:47 am CST as the time for Winter Solstice. Someone looking at the sky, at this time, would find the sun overhead. Though this is the shortest day for the countries in the northern hemisphere and marks the peak of the winter season, it is the longest day for the people living in the southern hemisphere. Once the Winter Solstice passes, the days in the northern hemisphere gradually becomes longer, which means the time for remaining exposed to the sun’s heat and light increases. However, the days and nights once again become equal on the Vernal Equinox.

Winter Solstice is a common natural phenomenon and does not gain much importance among the people these days except the weather observers. Though the significance of winter solstice might have diminished to the modern men, people in the ancient days used to consider it to be extremely important. Winter solstice and several other natural phenomenon helped them in marking the advent of different seasons. It is with the help of these days, that people started to divide the year into different seasons.