We just passed the point in Earth's orbit where it comes closest to the sun [edit: I have since discovered that the Earth actually reaches its perihelion on January 2nd this year. Instead, I should have noted that the solstice is the day when the northern hemisphere receives its smallest amount of light from the sun]. It's strange that it does so when the northern hemisphere is receiving its least amount of light and thus signals its start of winter, but the solstice has several strange things about it. For example, although we will get a nominal amount more of light, tomorrow's sunrise will still be later than today's. This phenomenon is more due to how humans measure time than any natural trick, but it's strange nonetheless.
One way or another, light is returning to the northern hemisphere of our world. Although we have just begun our journey into winter (if you can call what the lower 48 is experiencing right now as winter), it's nice to know that our lives will be a little bit brighter from here until summer. Just when it feels like the darkness is going to be overpowering, light begins to win. It's no wonder that people all around the northern hemisphere have set up celebrations around this time throughout their histories.
Up here, it means that in a few weeks the sun will start to top the trees again where we live. The upside of this darkness is that Christmas lights and displays are on while people are still up and about, making the area incredibly festive. Once we get a place, outdoor decorative lights are going to be a must (as long as they are energy-efficient LED). It will be my own way to celebrate the solstice (and the months that follow).
One way or another, light is returning to the northern hemisphere of our world. Although we have just begun our journey into winter (if you can call what the lower 48 is experiencing right now as winter), it's nice to know that our lives will be a little bit brighter from here until summer. Just when it feels like the darkness is going to be overpowering, light begins to win. It's no wonder that people all around the northern hemisphere have set up celebrations around this time throughout their histories.
Up here, it means that in a few weeks the sun will start to top the trees again where we live. The upside of this darkness is that Christmas lights and displays are on while people are still up and about, making the area incredibly festive. Once we get a place, outdoor decorative lights are going to be a must (as long as they are energy-efficient LED). It will be my own way to celebrate the solstice (and the months that follow).
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