In the northern hemisphere, the summer solstice occurs once each year in the month of June. The winter solstice occurs once a year in December. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is the opposite with the summer solstice occurring in December and the winter solstice occurring in June.
The time between sunrise and sunset is a little longer each day from the December solstice to the June solstice in the northern hemisphere and from the June solstice to the December solstice in the southern hemisphere.
Assuming the observer is in the North, then the southern hemisphere would be tilted towards the sun during the Winter Solstice in December. However, for observers in the Southern Hemisphere, the Winter Solstice would occur in June, and the northern hemisphere would be tilted towards the sun.
The summer solstice occurs around December 21st, while the winter solstice occurs around June 21st in the southern hemisphere. The vernal equinox occurs around September 22nd, and the autumnal equinox occurs around March 20th in the southern hemisphere.
The winter solstace occurs between December 20 & the 23rd. It represents the sun's southern-most position (or perpendicular) relative to the earth, and is at a latitude of approximately 23-1/2' south of the equator.
The longest day on earth is called the summer solstice. It occurs around June 21st in the Northern Hemisphere and around December 21st in the Southern Hemisphere. On this day, the North Pole is tilted closest to the sun, resulting in the longest period of daylight of the year.
It is the Winter Solstice
The time between sunrise and sunset is a little longer each day from the December solstice to the June solstice in the northern hemisphere and from the June solstice to the December solstice in the southern hemisphere.
Assuming the observer is in the North, then the southern hemisphere would be tilted towards the sun during the Winter Solstice in December. However, for observers in the Southern Hemisphere, the Winter Solstice would occur in June, and the northern hemisphere would be tilted towards the sun.
In the southern hemisphere, the winter solstice can occur as early as June 19 to as late as June 23. In the northern hemisphere, the winter solstice can be as early as December 20 to as late as December 23.
In the Northern Hemisphere the summer solstice will usually happen between June 20 and June 22. For the Southern Hemisphere it will occur between December 20 and December 23.
The December Solstice occurs in December. It marks the shortest day and longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and the longest day and shortest night in the Southern Hemisphere. The Equinox occurs around March and September when day and night are of equal length.
The solstices occur when the Sun reaches its maximum angular distance above or below the sky's "celestial equator". At local noon, at the solstice, the Sun is at its highest in the sky (summer solstice) or lowest (winter solstice) for the year. The solstices occur around the 21st of June and 21st of December. The summer solstice is in June in the northern hemisphere and in December in the southern hemisphere. At the summer solstice, the Sun is overhead at local noon on the tropic of Cancer (northern hemisphere) and the tropic of Capricorn (southern hemisphere).
The summer solstice occurs around December 21st, while the winter solstice occurs around June 21st in the southern hemisphere. The vernal equinox occurs around September 22nd, and the autumnal equinox occurs around March 20th in the southern hemisphere.
The winter solstace occurs between December 20 & the 23rd. It represents the sun's southern-most position (or perpendicular) relative to the earth, and is at a latitude of approximately 23-1/2' south of the equator.
The summer solstice occurs in the northern hemisphere when the sun is at the most acute angle above the horizon. It usually occurs on or about June 21.
December 22, 2012 is when it is this year
Winter officially starts on the winter solstice, which occurs around December 21st in the Northern Hemisphere. This is when the North Pole is tilted farthest away from the sun, resulting in the shortest day and longest night of the year.