Winter solstice 2018: Here’s everything you need to know about the shortest day of the year

Today is the shortest day of the year, also known as the winter solstice. If you are not aware, Winter solstice marks the shortest day and longest night of the year. This time it is even more special since skywatchers will also have an opportunity to witness a Full moon and meteor shower.

What does solstice mean?

The term ‘solstice’ is derived from two Latin words “sol” which means sun, and “sistere”, meaning standstill. The Sun seems to stand still in the winter sky, marking the shortest day and longest night of the year.

What is Winter Solstice?

To talk about the science behind winter solstice, it marks the shortest day in the Northern Hemisphere since the sun is positioned at its most southerly position while directly overheating at the Tropic of Capricorn. On the other hand, the winter solstice also marks the longest day of in the Southern Hemisphere.

Winter Solstice 2018 date and time?

Just like every year, Winter solstice 2018 will also take place on December 21 and the exact timing for the 2018 winter solstice is 22:23 UTC (4:53 pm IST on December 22). As mentioned above, this Winter solstice 2018 is even more special as less than the day after the solstice, we will be able to see the last Full Moon of the year.

•  On December 22 at 17:49 UTC, people will be able to see the last full moon of the year. The last full moon of the year is also known as Cold Full Moon, Long Night Moon and Cold Moon around the globe.