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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Winter solstice': Longest night, shortest day of the year on Dec. 22

'Winter solstice': Longest night, shortest day of the year on Dec. 22

Published Dec 22, 2023 02:40 am
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An astronomical event known as the "winter solstice," will mark the longest night and shortest day of the year on Dec. 22.

During the December solstice, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) explained that the Sun located in Sagittarius will reach its most southerly point in the sky at a declination of 23.5 degrees south at 11:27 a.m. (Philippine Time).

“It also marks the shortest day and longest night of the year in terms of daylight hours in the northern hemisphere,” it said.

On Dec. 22, the sun will rise in the Philippines at 6:16 a.m. and will set at 5:32 p.m., which means Filipinos will get to enjoy a daylength of 11 hours and 16 minutes.

“Furthermore, the North Pole is tilted away from the Sun, causing the Sun to take its lowest and shortest path across the sky. This results in the least amount of daylight for the day in the Northern Hemisphere,” PAGASA also said.

For some countries, the solstice signals the onset of winter in the Northern Hemisphere and summer in the Southern Hemisphere.

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