The shortest day of the year (in the north) is right around the corner
- 6 years ago
EARTH — The winter solstice arrives on Thursday, making it the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
The Earth's axis has a 23.5-degree tilt, which is responsible for the seasons.
As Earth makes its way around the sun each year, the Northern Hemisphere spends half of the year tilted slightly towards the sun during summer, and half the year tilted slightly away during winter, the New York Times reported.
The winter solstice will occur at 11:28 a.m., the moment the North Pole is tilted farthest from the sun and the South Pole is tilted closest to it, according to the Baltimore Sun.
Although it's the shortest day of the year in the north, the length of daylight varies by longitude and latitude.
The Earth's axis has a 23.5-degree tilt, which is responsible for the seasons.
As Earth makes its way around the sun each year, the Northern Hemisphere spends half of the year tilted slightly towards the sun during summer, and half the year tilted slightly away during winter, the New York Times reported.
The winter solstice will occur at 11:28 a.m., the moment the North Pole is tilted farthest from the sun and the South Pole is tilted closest to it, according to the Baltimore Sun.
Although it's the shortest day of the year in the north, the length of daylight varies by longitude and latitude.