The winter solstice, or hibernal solstice, occurs when either of Earth 's poles reaches its maximum tilt away from the Sun. This happens twice yearly, once in each hemisphere (Northern and …

Astronomical winter begins at the winter solstice, which is the shortest day of the year. This means days get longer during winter—very slowly at first, but at ever-larger daily intervals as …

Nov 3, 2025 · The winter solstice marks the official beginning of astronomical winter (as opposed to meteorological winter, which starts about 3 weeks before the solstice). It occurs once a year …

Sep 22, 2025 · winter solstice, the two moments during the year when the path of the Sun in the sky is farthest south in the Northern Hemisphere (December 21 or 22) and farthest north in the …

Jan 16, 2025 · At the winter solstice, the sun travels the shortest path through the sky, resulting in the day of the year with the least sunlight and therefore, the longest night.

The winter solstice —a day many hear about, but may not completely understand. Most people know it’s the shortest day of the year, but they may not know the science behind it.

3 days ago · Discover what the Winter Solstice is, why it happens, and how it affects daylight and seasons. Learn the simple science behind the shortest day of the year.