Concepts in Astronomy #12. Solstice

Solstice

The Solstice is the moment when the Sun is at is more northern (or southern) point as seen in the celestial sphere. This corresponds to the moment in which the Sun reaches declination 23.44° N in June and 23.44° S in December in the Equatorial Coordinate System. This occurs roughly around June 21st and December 21st. In the June Solstice, the right ascension value of its location is 6h and in the December Solstice, the value of the right ascension is 18h.

Depending on the hemisphere of the observer, the day when the solstice occurs is the either the longest daylight or shortest daylight day.

Previous Posts

Concepts in Astronomy #1. Introduction
Concepts in Astronomy #2. The Ecliptic
Concepts in Astronomy #3. The Celestial Equator
Concepts in Astronomy #4. Right Ascension
Concepts in Astronomy #5. Declination
Concepts in Astronomy #6. The Celestial Sphere
Concepts in Astronomy #7. Azimuth
Concepts in Astronomy #8. Altitude
Concepts in Astronomy #9. The Equatorial Coordinate System
Concepts in Astronomy #10. The Topocentric Coordinate System
Concepts in Astronomy #11. Equinox

Credits

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