How does the winter solstice make you the one with the longest shadows?

Arab Weather - As the winter solstice approaches on December 21, people in the northern hemisphere experience a unique phenomenon, as their shadows become longer than at any other time of the year. This astronomical event is not just a change in the length of day and night, but rather reflects a complex relationship between the movement of the Earth and the sun and its impact on our daily lives. In this article, we will discover how the winter solstice makes you "the one with the long shadow" and why this phenomenon is a source of scientific and aesthetic inspiration.

Why do shadows get longer at the winter solstice?

On the winter solstice , which falls on December 21 or 22 in the Northern Hemisphere, the sun reaches its lowest point in the sky at noon, making shadows the longest of the year. This is because the Earth's axis is tilted at a 23.5-degree angle, with the Earth tilted so that northern regions face the sun at a very oblique angle, causing the sun to be low in the sky.

On this day, the angle the sun makes with the horizon, known as the elevation angle, is at its lowest. For example, at 40 degrees north latitude, the elevation angle is only about 26.5 degrees at noon compared to 73.5 degrees at the summer solstice. This low angle makes shadows more than twice the length of a person or object, providing an ideal opportunity to study seasonal changes associated with the movement of the Earth and the Sun.

Noticing this phenomenon opens a window into understanding the cycle of seasons and the changing length of daylight, a phenomenon that was used in ancient times in designing sundials and determining agricultural seasons.

The winter solstice is not just an astronomical phenomenon, it is a moment when you can become a “long-legged person.” It is a day that connects you to the movement of the universe and gives you an opportunity to reflect and enjoy the beauty of nature. Make this day an opportunity to appreciate the small moments that make us part of this great universe.

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