Seasons and sky
Solstice
Direct answer
Solstice: A Solstice is the instant when the Sun reaches its greatest apparent north or south declination, marking a seasonal turning point.
A Solstice marks the Sun's greatest apparent northward or southward position.
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At a glance
- Found in
- Seasons & Earth Almanac
- Related
- Astronomical Season, Meteorological Season, Equinox, Sunrise
A Solstice marks the Sun's greatest apparent northward or southward position.
A Sun-Earth orientation for seasonal, atmospheric, tidal, and terrestrial terms.
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The story behind Solstice
Solstice observations appear in ancient calendars, monuments, navigation, agriculture, and religious traditions across many regions.
Why Solstice matters
Solstices bound the longest and shortest daylight seasons and anchor the annual solar calendar.
Solstice in practice: an example
The December solstice begins winter in the Northern Hemisphere and summer in the Southern Hemisphere.
Where readings of Solstice go wrong
The earliest sunset and latest sunrise do not usually occur on the solstice because of the equation of time and latitude.
Sources and editorial method
Research references used for this entry include:
- U.S. Naval Observatory: The Seasons and the Earth's Orbit - Official explanation of seasons, orbital distance, and Earth-Sun geometry.
- NOAA NCEI: Meteorological Versus Astronomical Seasons - Official comparison of seasons defined by Earth-Sun geometry and by climatological month groups.
- Source
- The Great Almanac Dictionary
- Category
- Seasons & Earth Almanac
- Last updated
- 2026-09-26
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More in Seasons & Earth Almanac
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Common questions
What is a Solstice?
A Solstice is the instant when the Sun reaches its greatest apparent north or south declination, marking a seasonal turning point.
What do people get wrong about a Solstice?
The earliest sunset and latest sunrise do not usually occur on the solstice because of the equation of time and latitude.
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