Updated: Tuesday, 21 Dec 2010, 9:57 AM EST
Published : Tuesday, 21 Dec 2010, 9:56 AM EST
Published : Tuesday, 21 Dec 2010, 9:56 AM EST
(CANVAS STAFF REPORTS) - Today at 6:38 p.m. EST marks the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year and the beginning of winter.
The winter solstice is the start of winter in the Northern Hemisphere and marks the point when the north pole is tilted farther from the sun than at any other point in the year.
The winter solstice is the shortest day of the year, though the exact hours of daylight will vary according to region. The number of daylight hours depends on latitude and the day of the year. For example, New York City will have only 9 hours, 15 minutes, 5 seconds of daylight, according to the Math Forum .
Daylight hours will begin to increase each day going forward.
The celebration of the winter solstice has been observed for centuries, predating Christianity and celebrations of Christmas. As The History Channel reported, cultures in Europe and Scandinavia celebrated the dark days of winter and the winter solstice.
The Norse of Scandinavia commemorated the winter solstice with the men bringing home large, wooden logs and setting them on fire. Traditionally, the family would then feast, until the fire burned out. That could take up to 12 days.
Ancient Romans would celebrate for a full month surrounding the winter solstice, honoring what they referred to as a god called Saturn with the holiday of Saturnalia. Today, the Winter Solstice is still observed and celebrated by many cultures and by people of various faiths throughout the world.
This year, a lunar eclipse fell on the winter solstice for the first time since 1638, according to National Geographic . This morning the earth passed between the sun and the moon, creating a reddish-yellow, bronze-like shadow over the moon, which was best be seen from North America and South America.
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