We’re half way through
Wednesday, June 22nd, 2005Until now, it had been getting darker and darker, while the days were getting shorter and shorter. But today was officially the shortest day of the year, being Winter Solstice. Sound too technical? Well basically it means that the sun is as far north and as far away from the equator as it gets, leaving Australia titled towards the arse end of the solar system.
Unless you thrive on darkness, you may be wondering why one would even bother to remember this time of the year. Well the main point is that things only get better from today. From here on the days will be getting longer and the nights getting shorter. On roughly the 21st of September we then reach the Equinox where day and night are roughly of equal length. Finally we reach Summer Solstice which is approximately 21st of December, where we will enjoy the longest days. Between now and then, enjoy the ever increasing daylight.
It is also a reminder to make the very most of what little daylight is available to us at this time of the year. Fortunately in Melbourne the days aren’t too short though (roughly 9.5 hours). Being an insomniac last night, it’s unfortunate that I wasted three hours of this daylight on the little sleep that I did end up getting.
Of course, this all applies to those of us who are lucky enough to live in the southern hemisphere. Those in the northern hemisphere will be experiencing the opposite.
Links:
Winter solstice brings scant sunlight (ABC News)
The long and short of winter solstice (The Age)