Winter Solstice 2018

[Anti Marine Layer]

The Winter Solstice occurs today, December 21, at 2:23 PM PST. Solar declination reaches a maximum of about 23.44 S. It's the shortest day (from sunrise to sunset) of the year. However, it's not the earliest sunset or latest sunrise. For California the earliest sunset happened on December 4 and it was about 4 1/2 minutes earlier than it is today. Latest sunrise does not happen until about January 7 and it's also about 4 1/2 minutes later than today. 

 

The dates of the earliest sunset and latest sunrise depend on your latitude and the further south you are, the farther away they are from the Solstice. Even at the equator the earliest sunset/sunrise occur around November 3 and the latest sunset/sunrise occur around February 11. This is because of the Earth's tilt as well as its elliptical orbit, which means it is moving faster now than in June. Northern Hemisphere winter is the shortest season.

 

We are also at about the longest solar day (solar noon to solar noon) of the year and this does not vary based on location. Right now they are about 24 hours and 30 seconds long, pushing solar noon half a minute later each day.

 

Enjoy the longer days ahead.

[Anti Marine Layer]

Also check out what today is like in Fairbanks, Alaska.

 

Winter Solstice in Fairbanks

[Anti Marine Layer]

Here is a picture from 5 PM last year on December 4.

 

 

And 5 PM today at the same place. Building light not yet on.

[Anti Marine Layer]

Oops, here is 5 PM today.

 

 

That 4 1/2 minutes makes a difference.

[Omegaraptor]

 

Full moon tonight.