Winter Solstice

The mid December solstice marks the beginning of winter in the Northern Hemisphere and summer in the Southern Hemisphere. In the Northern Hemisphere, the Winter Solstice occurs on December 21, 2008 at 7:04 AM EST and 12:04 UT (Universal Time). In the Southern Hemisphere, the Winter Solstice takes place on June 20, 2008 23:59 UT (Universal Time). While the beginning of summer marks the longest day of the year, the winter solstice brings the shortest day - and the longest night! - of the year.

The reason for the different seasons in the two hemispheres is that while the earth rotates around the sun, it also spins on its axis, which is tilted some 23.5 degrees. Because of this tilt, the Northern Hemisphere receives less direct sunlight and the Southern Hemisphere receives more (and vice versa) depending on the season.