Question.
Differentiate between the Summer and Winter Solstice.
( Chapter 3: Motions of the Earth, Class 6- The Earth: Our Habitat ( GEOGRAPHY), SOCIAL SCIENCE)
Answer.
The summer and winter solstices are two significant points in the Earth's annual orbit around the Sun, and they mark the changing of seasons in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
The following are differences between summer and winter Solstice;
Date and time:
Summer Solstice: The summer solstice occurs around June 20th or 21st in the Northern Hemisphere. It's the moment when the North Pole is tilted closest to the Sun, resulting in the longest day and the shortest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
Winter Solstice: The winter solstice takes place around December 21st or 22nd in the Northern Hemisphere. During this time, the North Pole is tilted farthest away from the Sun, leading to the shortest day and the longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
Sun's Position:
Summer Solstice: During the summer solstice, the Sun is at its highest point in the sky at noon for locations in the Northern Hemisphere.
Winter Solstice: Conversely, during the winter solstice, the Sun is at its lowest point in the sky at noon for locations in the Northern Hemisphere.
Season:
Summer Solstice: The summer solstice marks the beginning of summer in the Northern Hemisphere, bringing longer daylight hours, warmer temperatures, and the onset of the growing season.
Winter Solstice: The winter solstice signals the start of winter in the Northern Hemisphere, with shorter daylight hours, colder temperatures, and the approach of the coldest part of the year.
Heat:
In summer solstice, northern hemisphere receives more heat as compared to southern hemisphere whereas in winter solstice southern hemisphere receives more heat from sun as compared to northern hemisphere.
Day and Night:
In summer solstice, north of Arctic circle experience continuous days for the six months and south of Antarctica circle experience continuous night for six months whereas winter solstice the conditions are reversed.
Season:
In the summer solstice, northern hemisphere has summer and southern hemisphere has winter while in winter solstice in northern hemisphere has winter and southern hemisphere has summer.
Day duration:
In the summer solstices, days are longer than night in northern hemisphere and days are shorter than night in southern hemisphere whereas in the winter solistice the conditions is reversed.
Southern Hemisphere:
In the Southern Hemisphere, the situation is reversed. The summer solstice occurs around December 20th or 21st, and the winter solstice happens around June 20th or 21st. During these times, the South Pole experiences its respective maximum and minimum tilt toward the Sun.
These solstices have cultural and astronomical significance in various societies and are often celebrated as turning points in the annual cycle of seasons.
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