Sunday 21 December 2014

Astronomical solstice today.


The solstice is an astronomical event that occurs twice each year as the Sun reaches its highest or lowest point in the sky. The solstices, and the equinoxes, are connected with the seasons. In many cultures the solstices mark either the beginning or the midpoint of winter and mid point of summer.
 
Today is the 21st of December 2014 the solstice arrives at 23:03 and this will be posted at that exact time. The word solstice is derived from the Latin sol (sun) and sistere (to stand still), because at the solstices, the Sun stands still in its seasonal movement coming to a stop before reversing direction. In the UK, the summer solstice marks the day when the sun appears highest in the sky. That will be June 21st 2015 at 16:38.

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