December Solstice in Australia ― Date, History, and Details
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Let's dive deeper into learning more about the history of December Solstice in Australia and why people celebrate or observe it.
History of December Solstice in Australia and How to Celebrate/ Observe It
The December solstice occurs when the sun is directly over the Tropic of Capricorn, which is located at 23.5 degrees south latitude. This happens on December 21st or 22nd each year in the southern hemisphere. The December solstice is the summer solstice in the southern hemisphere and the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere. In Australia, the December solstice marks the beginning of the summer season.
During the December solstice, the sun is at its highest point in the sky and the days are longest. The word “solstice” comes from the Latin solstitium, which means “sun stands still.” This is because the sun appears to stand still in the sky at the point of the solstice before reversing direction and starting to move back towards the horizon.
The December solstice is an important day for many cultures around the world. For example, the ancient Egyptians built the Great Pyramid of Giza to align with the solstices and equinoxes. Stonehenge in England is also aligned with the solstices. Many indigenous cultures in Australia celebrate the December solstice with ceremonies and festivals.
So why does the December solstice happen? It all has to do with the Earth’s tilt on its axis. The Earth’s axis is an imaginary line that runs through the center of the planet from the North Pole to the South Pole. The Earth’s axis is tilted at an angle of 23.5 degrees. This tilt is what causes the seasons.
During the December solstice, the Earth’s Southern Hemisphere is tilted towards the sun. This means that the sun’s rays are more direct and the days are longer. The opposite happens during the June solstice, when the Earth’s Northern Hemisphere is tilted towards the sun. This causes the sun’s rays to be less direct and the days are shorter.