The winter solstice occurs around which date?

The winter solstice occurs around which date?

• A. Around March 21
• B. Around September 23
• C. Around December 22
• D. Around June 21

Answer: (C)

The main idea is how the tilt of the Earth affects daylight. The winter solstice happens when the Sun is at its southernmost point in the sky, resulting in the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. This occurs annually in late December, typically around December 21–22, which is why December 22 is the date most people cite. The other dates correspond to the equinoxes (roughly equal day and night) and the opposite solstice (the longest day), which is why they aren’t correct for the winter solstice.

The main idea is how the tilt of the Earth affects daylight. The winter solstice happens when the Sun is at its southernmost point in the sky, resulting in the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. This occurs annually in late December, typically around December 21–22, which is why December 22 is the date most people cite. The other dates correspond to the equinoxes (roughly equal day and night) and the opposite solstice (the longest day), which is why they aren’t correct for the winter solstice.