Embracing the winter solstice: A celestial dance

The winter solstice has ushered in the northern hemisphere countries, casting December 23 as the shortest day and the longest night of the year, and Pakistan is no exception. The night between Thursday and Friday extended for approximately 14 hours. Following this celestial event, nights will gradually decrease in duration while daytime periods lengthen. The equilibrium between day and night will be achieved on March 22 and 23.

Twice annually, day and night share equal durations; otherwise, one prevails over the other at different times.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) terms this phenomenon the transition of equinoxes and solstices. Since June 22 of this year, daytime durations have been decreasing in the northern hemisphere, including Pakistan. Presently, daytime will begin to lengthen again.

The Thursday-to-Friday night marked the longest of the year, spanning around 14 hours. Thursday's daytime was four hours shorter than usual (10 hours). With the onset of the winter solstice, nighttime durations will decrease by one to two minutes daily.

PMD Director in Karachi Zubairuddin says that four times a year, including the winter solstice, summer solstice, spring equinox, and autumn equinox, nature harmonizes, balancing day and night durations twice.

Post-December 21, each passing day brings a lengthening of daytime and a shortening of nighttime. By March 21, day and night durations will achieve perfect equilibrium. Starting March 22, days will lengthen while nights shorten, signaling the impending arrival of summer and the commencement of the spring season.

The third phase unfolds on June 21, when days are at their longest and nights at their shortest. The final phase takes place on September 22 during the Autumnal Equinox, after which nights start lengthening again within this celestial cycle.