December Solstice in Reunion ― Date, History, and Details
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History of December Solstice in Reunion and How to Celebrate/ Observe It
The December solstice occurs when the sun is at its southernmost point in the sky, directly over the Tropic of Capricorn. This happens on December 21st or 22nd each year in the Northern Hemisphere, and June 20th or 21st in the Southern Hemisphere. The word “solstice” comes from the Latin sol stet, meaning “sun stands still.” At the solstice, the sun’s path (the ecliptic) appears to stand still in the sky, before reversing direction and starting to move northward again.
In the Southern Hemisphere, the December solstice is the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year. The December solstice marks the beginning of astronomical winter in the Northern Hemisphere and summer in the Southern Hemisphere.
During a solstice, the sun is at its lowest point in the sky. In the Northern Hemisphere, this means that the sun is directly over the Tropic of Capricorn, while in the Southern Hemisphere, the sun is directly over the Tropic of Cancer. The December solstice is the only day of the year when the sun is directly overhead at noon at one of these points.
The angle of the sun in the sky at the December solstice is about 23.5 degrees. This is why the December solstice is sometimes called the “zero point five solstice,” because it is halfway between the fall equinox and the spring equinox.
At the December solstice, the Earth’s North Pole is tilted away from the sun by 23.5 degrees. This is the maximum tilt away from the sun that the Earth experiences all year. The tilt of the Earth’s axis is what causes the seasons. As the Earth orbits the sun, the tilt of the axis causes the seasons to change.
In the Northern Hemisphere, the December solstice is the shortest day of the year and the longest night. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is the longest day of the year and the shortest night. The amount of daylight varies depending on latitude. For example, in the United Kingdom, the December solstice is the shortest day of the year, with about 8 hours and 41 minutes of daylight. But in Australia, which is closer to the equator, the December solstice is the longest day of the year, with about 15 hours and 30 minutes of daylight.
The December solstice is a special day for many cultures around the world. Many ancient cultures celebrated the winter solstice as a time of rebirth, when the sun “died” and was reborn. In China, the winter solstice is known as Dongzhi. It is a time for family members to gather and eat dumplings together. In Japan, the winter solstice is known as Toshikoshi Soji. Families eat soba noodles on this day to symbolize long life and good health.
In the Northern Hemisphere, the December solstice is also known as Yule. It was originally a pagan festival that celebrated the sun god. Today, Yule is better known as Christmas. Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ on December 25th, which is three days after the December solstice.