As the world turns and the year draws closer to its end, the Philippines will soon experience its longest night of 2024.
This year’s December or winter solstice, which falls on Dec. 21, marks a moment when the Sun reaches its lowest point in the sky, signaling the start of winter in the northern hemisphere and summer in the southern hemisphere.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the northern hemisphere experiences the shortest day and the longest night of the year during the December solstice.
While the difference in day length is less noticeable in tropical countries like the Philippines, the solstice still offers a unique opportunity to reflect on the Earth’s journey around the Sun.
In Metro Manila, on Dec. 21, the sun will rise at 6:16 a.m. and set at 5:32 p.m., giving the region 11 hours and 15 minutes of daylight.
After the December solstice, the nights will slowly get longer, and the days will start to get shorter, bringing more darkness as we move toward the new year.