solstice

A solstice is the time when the Sun reaches its most northerly or southerly excursion relative to the celestial equator on the celestial sphere. Two solstices occur annually, around 20–22 June and 20–22 December. In many countries, the seasons of the year are defined by reference to the solstices and the equinoxes.

AI overview

A solstice is the moment when the Sun reaches its furthest point north or south in the sky, occurring twice yearly around June 20–22 and December 20–22. Because seasons in many countries are defined by the solstices and equinoxes, these events mark important turning points in the year's cycle of daylight and temperature.

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Image: Earth-lighting-winter-solstice GA.png

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Commons category: Solstices
Commons gallery: Solstice

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Article

13 sections

Contents

Etymology
Definitions and frames of reference
Relationship to seasons
Cultural aspects
Ancient Greek names and concepts
English names
Solstice terms in East Asia
Solstice celebrations
Solstice determination
In the constellations
See also
References
External links

The term solstice can also be used in a broader sense, as the day when this occurs. For locations not too close to the equator or the poles, the dates with the longest and shortest periods of daylight are the summer and winter solstices, respectively. Terms with no ambiguity as to which hemisphere is the context are "June solstice" and "December solstice", referring to the months in which they take place every year.