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Opening Arguments

It's official

If you've been in the winter frame of mind for weeks already, at least make it official. Happy Winter Solstice! The good news is that this is also the shortest day of the year. The days will start lenghtening before you know it. "Solstice," by the way is from the Latin phrase for "sun stands still."

That's because—after months of growing shorter and lower since the summer solstice—the sun's arc through the sky appears to stabilize, with the sun seeming to rise and set in the same two places for several days. Then the arc begins growing longer and higher in the sky, reaching its peak at the summer solstice.

Mr. Wizard says you're welcome.

Posted in: Science

Comments

Bob G.
Mon, 12/21/2009 - 12:02pm

Leo:
Oh, how I miss Don Herbert.

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