Winter Solstice

[Tilly2]

As we all know it's the winter solstice tomorrow. Does that mean that the longest period of darkness is equally experienced tonight and tomorrow night?

Or, is it the longest night tonight?
Or, is it the longest night tomorrow night?

[1581960]

I think it varies a bit according to exactly where you live, we've already passed the earliest sunset but the latest sunrise isn't until earl Jan

[shoota]

Yes.





(What was the question?)

[Tilly2]

Shoota, there are three questions. Help yourself.

[Tilly2]

158, are we not heading towards more daylight after tomorrow?

[Tilly2]

Murdo, Your link gets blocked for me.

[1581960]

Yes Tilly, sorry if I've confused the issue by referring to sunset / sunrise times.

[melv16]

Every day is a short day if you're called gness:-)

[1581960]

This might help Tilly:- https://www.theguardian.com/notesandqueries/query/0,,-201385,00.html

[Tilly2]

Thanks 158. I understand this bit.

Close to the shortest day the actual length of daylight time varies very little so the effects of these changes in the difference between solar time and clock time become quite apparent in this asymmetry in sunrise and sunset times. The changing difference between solar time and clock time through the year is known as the “equation of time” and can sometimes be found on old sundials in the form of an “analemma” - a figure of eight etched on the face of the sundial which is used to correct the reading on the dial (solar time) to clock time.

[Tilly2]

Melv, you are in for a pasting! (Geddit!)

[shoota]

You don't think my answer warranted 'Best Answer' then?

Surprised...

[1581960]

Thank you.

[New Judge]

The difference in the length of the days (i.e. the period from sunrise to sunset) is extremely small either side of the Solstices. The difference in day length increases towards each equinox after which the difference declines again to a minimum at the next solstice.

[tonyav]

melv16
Every day is a short day if you're called gness:-)

snigger

[Peter Pedant]

yeah with the summer solstice - kinda like the winta one but at a different time,

I never understood when Eratosthenes was measuring the circumference of the earth by hiking it down to Aswan ( auncient Syene ) on midsummer day - and stared down the nilometer at midday ( sun shone down the well) how he knew it was midday
coz they didnt have clocks are watches

good site from Murdo

[New Judge]

"...how he knew it was midday
coz they didnt have clocks are watches "

He listened to the "Pips" on the BBC World Service :-)

[atalanta]

It may seem odd, but days do not get longer or shorter symmetrically. That means - if a day starts two minutes earlier than the day before, it does not always end two minutes later.

[jno]

7 hours 49 minutes 40 seconds between sunrise and sunset in London today. Four seconds more tomorrow.

https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/uk/london

[gness]

Please give Melv best answer........it may be his last.......☻