Winter Solstice 2023: All you need to know about shortest day of the year
Published on Dec 22, 2023 10:47 AM IST
- The winter solstice will be observed in India on Friday at approximately 8:57 am.
1 / 8

Published on Dec 22, 2023 10:47 AM IST
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)
2 / 8

Published on Dec 22, 2023 10:47 AM IST
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)
3 / 8

Published on Dec 22, 2023 10:47 AM IST
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)
4 / 8

Published on Dec 22, 2023 10:47 AM IST
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)
5 / 8

Published on Dec 22, 2023 10:47 AM IST
A solstice occurs twice a year, once in summer and again in winter. (REUTERS)
6 / 8

Published on Dec 22, 2023 10:47 AM IST
The word "solstice" derives from 'sol,' the Latin word for sun, and 'sistere,' which means "to come to a stop or make stand." (REUTERS)
7 / 8

Published on Dec 22, 2023 10:47 AM IST
December’s winter solstice is when the northern half of the Earth is tilted furthest away from the sun, marking the "astronomical" first day of winter. (Unsplash)
8 / 8

Published on Dec 22, 2023 10:47 AM IST