Pakistan witnessed its longest night on December 21 and is now experiencing its shortest day today, December 22, as the Winter Solstice reaches its peak in the Northern Hemisphere.
The solstice officially began at 8:03 PM Pakistani time.
Since the event can fall between December 20 and 23, this year’s longest night passed last night and today marks the year’s shortest day.
Why today is the shortest day of the year
The Winter Solstice happens because the Earth is tilted at 23.4 degrees on its axis.
During this period the Northern Hemisphere tilts away from the Sun causing daylight to shrink to almost 8–9 hours at mid-latitudes, while the night stretches to nearly 15–16 hours.
On the solstice the Sun appears at its lowest point in the sky, creating the day with the least sunlight.
SUPARCO explains that although today is the shortest day, the earliest sunset does not always fall on the same date.
This variation occurs because of Earth’s slightly uneven orbit and its tilt.
In June Pakistan receives much longer days because the Northern Hemisphere tilts toward the Sun; in December it tilts away, creating winter darkness.
What the solstice means for Pakistan
The Winter Solstice is the turning point in the seasonal cycle.
Today, the Sun reaches its southernmost position above the Tropic of Capricorn, giving Pakistan its shortest span of daylight and marking the official start of astronomical winter.
From tomorrow, daylight will slowly begin to increase, offering a gradual return toward longer days.
The solstice date shifts slightly each year because Earth takes about 365.24 days not a perfect 365 to orbit the Sun.
This difference causes the event to move roughly six hours each year, adding up to a full day every four years.
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