Which event marks the shortest daylight period of the year?

Which event marks the shortest daylight period of the year?

• A. Winter Solstice
• B. Summer Solstice
• C. Equinox
• D. Damp

Answer: (A)

The shortest daylight period happens at the winter solstice, when the Sun sits lowest in the sky for the year. This occurs because Earth’s axis is tilted about 23.5 degrees, and during this time the Northern Hemisphere is tilted away from the Sun, shortening the day and lengthening the night. The Sun’s path is at its southernmost arc, so daylight hours are at their minimum around December 21–22. An equinox, by contrast, is when day and night are roughly equal, not the shortest day. The other option is unrelated to a real astronomical event. In the Southern Hemisphere the timing is opposite, but the concept remains that the winter solstice marks the shortest daylight.

The shortest daylight period happens at the winter solstice, when the Sun sits lowest in the sky for the year. This occurs because Earth’s axis is tilted about 23.5 degrees, and during this time the Northern Hemisphere is tilted away from the Sun, shortening the day and lengthening the night. The Sun’s path is at its southernmost arc, so daylight hours are at their minimum around December 21–22. An equinox, by contrast, is when day and night are roughly equal, not the shortest day. The other option is unrelated to a real astronomical event. In the Southern Hemisphere the timing is opposite, but the concept remains that the winter solstice marks the shortest daylight.