Google marked winter solstice, the shortest day and the longest night of the year, with a doodle on Friday, 21 December.
What is Winter Solstice
Winter solstice, also known as midwinter, occurs twice a year, once in each hemisphere – northern and sourthern.
The term solstice means the ‘Sun Stands Still’. The phenomenon occurs when the sun is over the Tropic of Capricorn and the Earth’s pole is tilted farthest from the sun at its most southern position.
In the southern hemisphere, the December solstice marks the longest day and the shortest night.
On Friday, the shortest period of daylight will be followed by a full moon, also called the ‘Cold Moon’ which will be visible between 21 and 22 December.
How the World Celebrates Winter Solstice
In China, the day is celebrated in the form of Dongzhi festival. It is supposed to mark the season's turning point and people celebrate the occasion with traditional meals and family get-togethers.
Shab-e Yalda is an ancient Persian festival that acknowledges the longest and ‘darkest night’ of the year.
Ursid Meteor Shower
After the sun goes down, some places will witness the annual Ursid meteor shower. The shower is expected to peak on Saturday, 22 December, and is best visible from from the northern hemisphere.
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