The shortest day of the year is approaching, and it holds significance beyond just its duration: discover the importance of the upcoming winter solstice.

Every year on December 21, the winter solstice occurs. Astronomically, this is the day when the Earth reaches a position where the Sun rises at its lowest point above the horizon in the Northern Hemisphere. This means that there will be the shortest daylight and longest darkness of the year.

The winter solstice in 2024 will take place on Saturday, December 21 at 4:21 AM EST. In Ukraine, this is 11:21. On the day of the winter solstice, the duration of daylight will be the least of the year. In Kyiv, the sun will rise at 07:56 and set at 15:57, meaning that the day will last less than 8 hours.

What is the winter solstice?

The Earth orbits around the Sun at an angle of about 23.5 degrees to its axis. This tilt is what causes the change of seasons. During the winter solstice, the North Pole is most tilted away from the Sun, so it shines less over the equator, and its rays hit at a sharp angle.

The winter solstice marks the beginning of winter in the Northern Hemisphere and summer in the Southern. When the sun reaches its southernmost point in the sky, the length of daylight will gradually increase until the summer solstice.

Why is this important?

For centuries, the winter solstice has held significant meaning for people. In many cultures, this day symbolized the start of a new cycle, as after it the days become longer, indicating the return of light and warmth. Pagans celebrated Yule, Slavic peoples honored Kolyada, the Incas worshipped the sun god, and even the timing of Christmas on December 25 was aligned with the winter solstice to aid in the spread of Christianity.

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