Longest night of the year

MANILA, Philippines - Countries in the northern hemisphere as well as the Philippines will experience the longest night of the year tonight when the winter solstice occurs, the state weather agency said yesterday.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the winter solstice marks the time when the sun lies at its farthest point south of the equator.

The winter solstice signals the onset of winter in the northern hemisphere and summer in the southern hemisphere as the sun is slightly directed towards the southern hemisphere.

The sun will reach the winter solstice at 7:03 a.m. today, PAGASA said.

“Philippine nights will be longer than daytime. Earth has now completed another annual circuit around the sun,” PAGASA said in its monthly astronomical diary.

The website EarthSky.org said the December solstice marks the longest night in the northern hemisphere and the longest day in the southern hemisphere.

According to timeanddate.com, people in countries like Scandinavia, Rome and Poland hold festivals to celebrate the winter solstice.

Scandinavians celebrate the Feast of Juul at the time of the December solstice. Fires were lit to symbolize the heat, light and life-giving properties of the returning sun.

In Ancient Rome, people celebrate the Saturnalia with a feast starting from Dec. 17 and lasting for seven days. It is held to honor Saturn, the father of the gods, and is characterized by the suspension of discipline and reversal of the usual order.

In Poland, the December solstice observance prior to Christianity involved people showing forgiveness and sharing food.