Taken from the YouTube entry:
Winter Solstice 2010 begins on 21 December 2010 at 23:38 GMT
The winter solstice occurs exactly when the Earth's axial tilt is farthest away from the sun at its maximum of 23° 26'. Though the winter solstice lasts only an instant in time, the term is also colloquially used as midwinter or contrastingly the first day of winter to refer to the day on which it occurs. More evident to those in high latitudes, this occurs on the shortest day, and longest night, and the sun's daily maximum position in the sky is the lowest. The seasonal significance of the winter solstice is in the reversal of the gradual lengthening of nights and shortening of days. Depending on the shift of the calendar, the winter solstice occurs on December 21 or 22 each year in the Northern Hemisphere, and June 20 or 21 in the Southern Hemisphere.
Worldwide, interpretation of the event has varied from culture to culture, but most cultures have held a recognition of rebirth, involving holidays, festivals, gatherings, rituals or other celebrations around that time.
Music: Instrumental Version of the Song " I Can Only Imagine" by MercyMe
I certainly won't be running around outside half naked as was the ritual of my Pictic ancestors. Not when it's been -10 all day and dropping fast.
The winter solstice occurs exactly when the Earth's axial tilt is farthest away from the sun at its maximum of 23° 26'. Though the winter solstice lasts only an instant in time, the term is also colloquially used as midwinter or contrastingly the first day of winter to refer to the day on which it occurs. More evident to those in high latitudes, this occurs on the shortest day, and longest night, and the sun's daily maximum position in the sky is the lowest. The seasonal significance of the winter solstice is in the reversal of the gradual lengthening of nights and shortening of days. Depending on the shift of the calendar, the winter solstice occurs on December 21 or 22 each year in the Northern Hemisphere, and June 20 or 21 in the Southern Hemisphere.
Worldwide, interpretation of the event has varied from culture to culture, but most cultures have held a recognition of rebirth, involving holidays, festivals, gatherings, rituals or other celebrations around that time.
Music: Instrumental Version of the Song " I Can Only Imagine" by MercyMe
I certainly won't be running around outside half naked as was the ritual of my Pictic ancestors. Not when it's been -10 all day and dropping fast.
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15 comments:
Get the drams out Rosie, the sun starts to come back tomorrow! I always have a dram at this event as, although it took years to sink in, I can now understand why our ancestors got so excited...
"solstice" with an "s" in the middle.
The sun was here today and it was still minus 10! I can't stand much more of this. Managed to get up to minus 8 but its falling again now.
Had my dram at 23.38 Dram. It was a bright moonlit night too. Not that I was outside I hasten to add. :)
Argh Mark. Thank you. Amended.
Jo it was bright and sunny here too but never rose above -10. I too have had enough, especially when it's so hard to get around because the roads and pavements are, once again, in a shocking state.
Rosie, were you out this morning at 6am for the total eclipse of the moon. The first time since 1658 and the last until 2085. I got up but it was dark and I could see bugger all.
No DL, I was far away somewhere, possibly on some hot beach because I'd left the electric blanket on. :)
I've seen some photos of it though. Quite spectacular.
Nice little video, but needs more explanation - which would make it much longer of course.
For some details on Star positions at this time of the year (and I'm no astonomer!) I found this set of 12 - yes twelve - of immense interest. But then being a heathen I would. In particular, the question of why Father Christmas has this 'coming down the chimney' belief. It's all in there - red coat, baubles on trees, Reindeer and sleighs - and much more!
Enjoy - or despair, depending on your beliefs!!
The Pharmacratic Inquisition.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnvEHObMMH4
Morning Derek. Yes I agree, but it was just a reminder to folk that this week isn't all about worrying if you've enough brussels sprouts. :)
Many thanks for the link. I'll watch it later once I'm back from shopping and I'm sure I'll enjoy it.
Oh Derek, was just going to bookmark it and there's a message saying 'this video has malformed content. sorry about that'.
So I'll look elsewhere for it.
The first day of winter? You mean all that snow and ice and Arctic temperatures was the Autumn!?
Aye Hamish, you got it in one!
"Malformed content": Not heard that one before.
Try Google videos, it's shown in continuous mode and in a bigger window:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=825942553983229569#
'Sprouts', sometimes I like 'em, mostly I don't!
Neither had I Derek. A first for me too.
Thanks for the link, I'll look now.
No sprouts in this house. It's cold enough without wind.
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