Check Your Shadow Today

The hiemal solstice or hibernal solstice, sometimes called midwinter, but more commonly known as the winter solstice occurs when the Sun reaches its most southerly declination of -23.4 degrees. It is that point in time when the sun is exactly over the Tropic of Capricorn.  In other words - when the North Pole is tilted furthest away from the Sun.  

On this date for anyone residing in Antarctica (the South Pole)  - the opposite is true.  Today you would observe the Midnight Sun and enjoy 24 hours of sunlight.  For us living in the northern hemisphere tonight will be the longest night of the year.  This is to say that after this evening the daylight hours will begin to grow longer in the days and weeks to follow.  

If today is nice and sunny be sure to go outside at noon to observe your shadow.  On the solstice your shadow is the longest it will be all year. 

Finally, if you are persnickety the precise timing of this event is 10:19 pm CST.  Before bedtime you may want to go outside to observe the heavens and raise a toast to the winter solstice. 

Fingers-crossed for cold, clear, winter night skies. 

Cheers! 

Edit to add:

From our walk today