This Saturday, December 21st, the Northern Hemisphere prepares for the Longest Night of 2024. This is the astronomical beginning of winter when the period of daylight is the shortest. This year, the Longest Night of 2024 falls precisely at 4:21 a.m. ET.
Longest Night of 2024
The day that contains the fewest amount of daylight hours is defined by the winter solstice. This happens when the sun is at its southernmost point, lying directly over the Tropic of Capricorn. Cities farther north have even shorter days. The Arctic Circle will have no sunlight at all. Earth’s tilted position on its axis while orbiting the sun creates the winter solstice. The Northern Hemisphere tilts away from the sun, and that results in extended nights. The solstice represents the furthest point of the hemisphere from the sun, making it the Longest Night of 2024.
The Earth’s orbit takes 365.25 days, which accounts for the solstice not falling squarely on the 21st of every year. After the solstice, daylight will grow about a minute more each day. Those minutes add up and amount to about an additional hour of sunlight over two months. Meteorological winter ends on March 20, 2025, and spring lasts until the summer begins on June 20th.
How People Celebrate Winter Solstice?
Many cultures around the world have observed the winter solstice for thousands of years. This event is also marked by ancient rituals and traditions, some of which have influenced modern holidays like Christmas and Hanukkah. In ancient Roman times, the god of agriculture was celebrated during the festival of Saturnalia with feasting, games, and gift-giving. The Stonehenge monument in England is aligned with the sun on the solstices, which draws crowds to gatherings.
The Hopi people mark this time with the Soyal Ceremony, with dancing, purification, and gift-giving. Peru celebrates the return of the sun god with symbolic ceremonies. Scandinavia celebrates St. Lucia’s Day, a festival of light. China celebrates Dong Zhi with family gatherings and traditional foods. Even researchers in Antarctica have created unique midwinter traditions.
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