Capricorn Solstice, 5 answers about this astronomical event that occurs every December

The capricorn solstice It is one of the most important astronomical events of the year. In addition to ushering in winter in the northern hemisphere and summer in the southern hemisphere, this phenomenon causes a wonderful scene for anyone who sees it: the midnight sun.

Two solstices occur each year, one in June and one in December. The December solstice is known to be the shortest day of the year for the Northern Hemisphere, while it is the longest for the Southern Hemisphere. At the poles, the change is much more drastic, as the North Pole goes from six months of light to six months of darkness and the opposite, at the South Pole.

According to the Quito Astronomical Observatory, the Capricorn solstice will take place on December 21 at 4:48 p.m., continental Ecuador time.

What astronomical events December brings us, in addition to the Capricorn solstice

These are the 5 things you need to know about the solstice

1. The word solstice comes from the Latin word solstitium (sol sistere or quiet sun) and are the times of the year in which the Sun reaches its highest or lowest apparent height in the sky, explains the Astronomical Observatory.
2. It is known as the Capricorn solstice because it occurs when the sun is directly over the Tropic of Capricorn in the southern hemisphere.
3. The midnight sun is the consequent phenomenon of summer in the southern hemisphere: the inhabitants of communities in the Antarctic Circle will enjoy six months of clarity since the sun never sets.
4. The solstice happens because Earth’s axis of rotation is tilted about 23.4 degrees from Earth’s orbit around the Sun, causing the northern and southern hemispheres to receive unequal amounts of sunlight throughout the year.
5. This is what the path of the solstices and equinoxes looks like throughout the year:

(YO)