Days will gradually lengthen as southern hemisphere passes winter solstice

Sunday marked the winter solstice over the southern hemisphere.

This is the shortest day and longest night of the year, marking the point when the earth’s axial tilt is furthest away from the sun, resulting in the least direct sunlight for regions south of the equator, including southern Africa.

ALSO READ: BLOGGING THE VIEW: 9 fast facts about the winter solstice

At this time, the sun reaches its most northerly point in the sky relative to the southern hemisphere, and the region experiences its least daylight hours – roughly 10 hours.

In the northern hemisphere, this same day is the summer solstice, as it is their longest day and shortest night.

Astronomical significance

The June solstice marks the beginning of astronomical winter in the southern hemisphere, although meteorological winter begins on 1 June.

21 June is astronomically celebrated and heralds the changing of the seasons and the beginning of new cycles of life.

On this day, the sun appears at its lowest point in the sky, and daylight hours are at their minimum while night time is at its maximum.

After the solstice, the earth’s axis begins to tilt back toward the sun, causing days to gradually lengthen and nights to shorten, signalling the slow approach of spring.

Implication on South Africans

This is usually the peak of cold, dry winter over South Africa, especially inland. with colder nights and mornings.

These longer nights with less cloud cover is a perfect time for observing the stars.

In agriculture, the solstice was traditionally received as the turning point for winter crops or preparation for spring planting.

Many cultures in the southern hemisphere have historically celebrated the winter solstice as a time of reflection, renewal and preparation for the colder months.

Source: Petersen, J., Sack, D., and R.E. Gabler, 2nd Edition 2015. Fundamentals of Physical Geography. Brooks Cole, 520 pp.
https://www.sunrisesunsettime.org/africa/south-africa

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