Winter Solstice, observed today on December 22, is known as the "first day of winter" in the Northern Hemisphere. Also referred to as 'hiemal solstice' or 'hibernal solstice,' it marks the shortest day of the year in this hemisphere. Here's everything you need to know about this significant day. (REUTERS)
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The solstice will commence at 4:44 pm GMT on December 22, when the Earth is at its maximum tilt, 23.5 degrees, away from the sun. (REUTERS)
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On the shortest day, the sunrise was predicted at 7:10 am, and the sunset is expected to take place at 5:29 pm. (AFP)
The solstice occurs when the sun reaches its lowest or highest point in the sky during the year due to the Earth's axis tilting toward or away from the sun. (REUTERS)
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A solstice occurs twice a year, once in summer and again in winter. (REUTERS)
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Newly elected Pope Leo XIV, Cardinal Robert Prevost of the United States appears on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, at the Vatican, May 8, 2025. REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane
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White smoke billows from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel where 133 cardinals are gathering on the second day of the conclave to elect a successor to late Pope Francis, at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025 . (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
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A damaged portion of Bilal Mosque is seen after it was hit by an Indian strike in Muzaffarabad. The selection of targets was done based on extensive intelligence, primarily due to Pakistan's changing strategies aimed at concealing terror camps.
