December Solstice in Isle of Man ― Date, History, and Details
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Let's dive deeper into learning more about the history of December Solstice in Isle of Man and why people celebrate or observe it.
History of December Solstice in Isle of Man and How to Celebrate/ Observe It
The December solstice occurs when the sun is at its farthest south point of the year. In the Northern Hemisphere, this happens on December 21 or 22. For people in the Isle of Man, this is the shortest day and longest night of the year. The sun rises and sets at its lowest points in the sky, and there is less daylight than any other time of the year.
During the solstice, the sun is directly over the Tropic of Capricorn. This is a latitude line located at about 23.5 degrees south of the equator. On the day of the solstice, the sun is directly overhead at noon for people who live on or near this line.
In the days leading up to the solstice, the amount of daylight decreases rapidly. The change from shorter to longer days is more gradual after the solstice.
The word “solstice” comes from the Latin solstitium, which means “sun stands still.” This is because the apparent position of the sun seems to reach a plateau for several days before and after the solstice. This is an optical illusion caused by the Earth’s tilt on its axis.
The December solstice has been celebrated throughout history. Many ancient cultures saw it as a time of rebirth, when the sun “died” and was reborn. The Egyptians aligned the Great Pyramid of Giza with the solstice sunset. The Druids built Stonehenge as an astronomical observatory to mark the winter solstice.
In modern times, the December solstice is still a time of celebration for many people. Some celebrate the longest night of the year with bonfires and feasts. Others use it as a time to reflect on the past year and set goals for the coming one.