What is the Difference Between Summer and Winter Solstice

The main difference between summer and winter solstice is that summer solstice occurs when one of the poles of the Earth has its maximum tilt towards the Sun while winter solstice occurs when one of the poles of the Earth has its maximum tilt away from the Sun.

Solstice refers to either of the two moments in the year when the Sun’s path is farthest north or south from Earth’s Equator. Two solstices occur annually, in June and December. In the northern hemisphere, the summer solstice occurs in June and winter solstice occurs in December. In the southern hemisphere, summer solstice occurs in December and winter solstice occurs in June. In brief, the winter solstice is the opposite of summer solstice.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Summer Solstice
     – Definition, Occurrence
2. What is Winter Solstice
     – Definition, Occurrence
3. What is the Difference Between Summer and Winter Solstice
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Solstice, Summer Solstice, Winter Solstice

What is Summer Solstice

Summer solstice occurs when one of the poles of the Earth has its maximum tilt towards the Sun. It happens twice in a year, once in each hemisphere. The summer solstice is also known as midsummer or estival solstice. At the summer solstice, the Sun travels the longest path through the sky, so that day has the longest period of daylight. It is also the day the Sun reaches the highest point in the sky.

Summer solstice occurs during summer in a hemisphere. In the northern hemisphere, summer solstice occurs in June while in the southern solstice, it occurs in December. The exact date varies, but December 21 or 22 are the most common dates for December solstice while June 20 or 21 are the common dates for June solstice. Moreover, there is continuous daylight around the summer solstice.

What is Winter Solstice

Winter solstice occurs when one of the poles of the Earth has its maximum tilt away from the Sun. It happens twice in a year, once in each hemisphere. Winter solstice is also known as midwinter, hibernal solstice or hiemal solstice. At winter solstice, the Sun travels the shortest path through the sky, so that day has the shortest period of daylight and longest night in the year.

Winter solstice occurs during winter in a hemisphere. In the northern hemisphere, the winter solstice occurs in December while in the southern solstice, it occurs in June. The exact date varies, but December 21 or 22 are the most common dates for December solstice while June 20 or 21 are the common dates for June solstice. It’s also important to know that winter solstice actually occurs at a specific time – the instant one of the poles of the Earth is aimed furthest away from the Sun.

Unlike the summer solstice, there is continuous darkness around the winter solstice. According to the astronomical definitions of seasons, the winter solstice marks the beginning of winter. Moreover, since ancient times, this day of the year has been culturally significant for many cultures and is celebrated by festivals and rituals.

Difference Between Summer and Winter Solstice

Definition

Summer solstice occurs when one of the poles of the Earth has its maximum tilt towards the Sun while winter solstice occurs when one of the poles of the Earth has its maximum tilt away from the Sun.

Position of the Pole

At summer solstice, north pole or south pole has its maximum tilt towards the Sun while at winter solstice, north pole or south pole has its maximum tilt away from the Sun.

Northern Hemisphere

In the northern hemisphere, summer solstice occurs in June and winter solstice occurs in December.

Southern Hemisphere

In the southern hemisphere, the summer solstice occurs in December and winter solstice occurs in June.

Length of the Day

Besides, the summer solstice has the longest day while winter solstice has the shortest day.

Conclusion

Solstice refers to either of the two moments in the year when the Sun’s path is farthest north or south from Earth’s Equator. At the summer solstice, north pole or south pole has its maximum tilt towards the Sun while at the winter solstice, north pole or south pole has its maximum tilt away from the Sun. Two solstices occur annually, in June and December. In the northern hemisphere, the summer solstice occurs in June and winter solstice occurs in December. In the southern hemisphere, the summer solstice occurs in December and winter solstice occurs in June. Thus, this is the summary of the difference between summer and winter solstice.

Reference:

1. “Winter Solstice.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 9 Feb. 2018, Available here.
2. “Summer Solstice.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 18 June 2020, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “4674782” (CC0) via Pixabay
2. “Orbital relations of the Solstice, Equinox & Intervening Seasons” By Colivine – Own work (CC0) via Commons Wikimedia