When the sun is at its furthest point away north or south from the equator, these points are known as either a summer solstice or winter solstice. These points (solstices) are also known as the first day of winter or summer and are also known as the longest or shortest days of the year.
The Relation of the Sun, Earth, and Solstices
To gain a better understanding of the solstices, we first look at how the earth and sun are related to the winter and summer seasons. Let’s look at the above diagram.
You will notice that the summer solstice (located on right side of the above diagram) occurs when the north pole is closest to the sun. Likewise, winter solstice (located on the left side of the above diagram) occurs when the north pole is furthest from the sun.
In looking at where the United States is situated in the above diagram, you can see where the sun is in relation to our country. In the summer, our side of the earth is closest to the sun, thus the summer season. Vice versa for winter, we are on the side of the earth farthest from the sun, hence the winter season.
Interestingly, when the earth is in between the solstices, the tilt of the earth is at zero which means the north pole is not pointing towards or away from the sun. These points are known as equinoxes.
Why do we have solstices?
Scientists developed the solstice dates to act as boundaries within our seasons. These dates were based on the relationship of where the earth was in relation to the sun as well as what the earth’s axis tilt was.
Seasons were predicted back in ancient times by charting the sun rises and settings throughout the year. For many, this was a means of survival.
Cultures such as the Babylonians and Mayans produced systems for tracking the shifts in seasons. However, to be able to accurately document the seasonal changes fully, it took centuries of research.
In the 14th century, an astronomer named Nicolai Copernicus brought forward the discovery that the sun is the center of our solar system as opposed to the earth as many believed. Because of him, we were able through time to track seasons by the movement of the earth and not vice versa.
Winter Solstice
The winter solstice is the shortest day of a year. The below diagram indicates the earth’s axis (north pole) is furthest away from the sun.
The U.S. is in the Northern Hemisphere, and Australia is in the Southern Hemisphere.
Northern Hemisphere
- Gets less direct sunlight
Southern Hemisphere
- Gets more direct sunlight
When it is winter in the United States, it is summer in Australia because of the difference in hemispheres.
Map Courtesy of Climatologist Brian Brettschneider
Summer Solstice
The summer solstice is the longest day of a year. The below diagram indicates the earth’s axis (north pole) is closest to the sun.
The U.S. is in the Northern Hemisphere, and Australia is in the Southern Hemisphere.
Northern Hemisphere
- Gets more direct sunlight
Southern Hemisphere
- Gets less direct sunlight
When it is summer in the United States, it is winter in Australia because of the difference in hemispheres.
Solstice Oddities, Traditions and Celebrations
Solstices were a source of helping farmers to plan planting and harvesting times. The solstices were very important times that were key points on a farmer’s calendar. However, over the ages, various traditions, riturals, and celebrations centered around the solstice.
Feasting The Winter Solstice
In ancient times, farmers celebrate the halfway point of the harsh conditions of hunger and disease. Winter solstice was marked with feasts of meat, spirits, and celebration.
Pagan Druid Ritual
Winter Solstice is called “Yule” to pagans belonging to a group called “Circle Sanctuary” celebrate a new solar year. Both pagans and druids gather at Stonehenge, England to worship and celebrate.
The circle of Stonehenge serves as a place where within the circle, the sun sets in the same spot on the eve of winter solstice every year. Some believe this monument to be a calendar of some sort, but it has not been proven.
Krampus
Austria revels in winter solstice through a celebration called “Krampus” where people descend on Hollabrunn, Austria to watch costumed characters terrorize and taunt the crowds. They are dressed in demonic outfits. Folklore has it that Krampus used to punish and snatch bad children. The annual event held on winter solstice is believed to ward off evil spirits.
Japanese Fruit-Filled Baths
Each winter solstice, Japanese traditionally take hot baths filled with yuzu fruit not only to welcome winter but to protect from sickness.
Conclusion
The seasonal positions of the earth’s axis in relation to the sun are definitely worthy of knowing. Before scientific data was around to confirm the arrival of winter and summer, one had to depend on the length of a day, the position of the sun in the sky, and the chill or warmth to the air.
Our solar system plays such a vital role in our lives. To fully appreciate it and marvel at its wonder, it’s well worth learning more about. The solstices are more than a mere reference term for a season but has a significant impact on how we plan our days, months, and years accordingly.
Fun Facts About Solstices
- Summer solstice is the longest day of the year.
- Winter solstice is the shortest day of the year.
- Japanese soak in hot baths full of yuzu fruit to welcome winter solstice.
- When it is summer in Australia, it is winter in the United States.
- An ancient times, it was thought that the sun moved around the earth.
References:
(n.d.) The Winter and Summer Solstices, Scholastic, Retrieved from:
https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/articles/teaching-content/summer-and-winter-solstices/
Dyess, D. (n.d.) Winter and Summer Solstice Rituals, Kids Geo, Retrieved from:
https://kidsgeo.com/geography-for-kids/winter-summer-solstice-rituals/
Chan, M. (2017 December 13) 4 Winter Solstice Rituals From Around the World, Time Magazine, Retrieved from: http://time.com/5060889/winter-solstice-rituals/