Summer Solstice and Winter Solstice UPSC Notes PDF Download

Summer Solstice marks the beginning of Summer, and Winter Solstice marks the beginning of Winter. The summer solstice and the winter solstice is distinguished primarily by the fact that the former happens when one of the Earth's poles is tilted most towards the Sun, whereas the latter takes place when the former is tilted away from the Sun.

The Summer Solstice and Winter Solstice UPSC are important for the UPSC Exam and is covered under the General Studies Paper 1 syllabus of the UPSC IAS Exam. 

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What is Summer Solstice and Winter Solstice?

The term "solstice" describes one of the two times during the year when the Sun's path is the farthest north or south from the equator of the planet. There are two solstices each year, in June and December. The summer and winter solstices fall in June and December, respectively, in the northern hemisphere, while in the southern hemisphere, the winter solstice falls in June and the summer solstice in December. The winter solstice is the opposite of the summer solstice.

Difference between Summer Solstice and Winter Solstice

Here is the table to understand the difference between Summer and Winter Solstice

What is Summer Solstice?

When the sun is directly over the Tropic of Cancer, Summer Solstice occurs. June 21, or the longest day of the summer season, is referred to as the Summer Solstice. The astronomical phenomenon known as the solstice is brought on by the Earth's tilt and its orbital path around the sun. The North Pole of our planet is tilted most towards the sun at the June solstice due to the way Earth is positioned in its orbit.

The Tropic of Cancer, an imaginary line encircling the world and named after the constellation Cancer the Crab, is where the sun lies directly overhead at noon, as seen from Earth, 23 1/2 degrees north of the equator.

Also, read about Earth and the Solar system here for UPSC.

Importance of Summer Solstice 

• The varying lengths of the days are caused by how tilted the Earth is. 
• With respect to its orbital plane, the Earth's axis of rotation is inclined at a 23.5° inclination.
•  Different sections of the world experience varying lengths of days due to differences in the duration of sunlight caused by this tilt in combination with other factors like the Earth's rotation and orbit.
• Since the Northern Hemisphere is inclined towards the Sun for half of the year, it experiences direct sunlight during the long summer days. The remaining six months of the year, as it tilts away from the Sun, see shorter days. Seasons on Earth are also a result of tilt.
• Sun shifts from the northern to the southern sky as a result of this phenomenon.

What is the Winter Solstice?

During the winter solstice, one of the Earth's poles reaches its maximum tilt away from the Sun. Each hemisphere experiences it twice a year. The hibernal solstice and the hiemal solstice are other names for the winter solstice. The Sun follows the shortest journey through the sky on the winter solstice, resulting in the shortest day and longest night of the year.

In one hemisphere, the winter solstice falls during this season. The winter solstice takes place in the northern hemisphere in December, while the southern winter solstice occurs in June. While the precise date varies, the December solstice typically occurs on December 21 or 22, while the June solstice typically occurs on June 20 or 21. It's also crucial to understand that the winter solstice actually happens at a certain time, right when the Earth's pole is pointed away from the Sun. On the eve of the December Solstice, which is the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere, the sun enters the tropic of Capricorn since the north pole is at its maximum tilt away from the sun.

Also, know about the International Solar Alliance here for UPSC.

Significance of Winter Solstice

The period known as Uttarayana extends from the Capricorn Zodiac (Makara Rashi) to the Gemini Zodiac (Mithuna Rasi).

When Does the Uttarayana Begin?

• The Uttarayana begins on Makar Sankranti Day, which is often on January 14 or 15. In 2023, the Uttarayana festival starts on January 15. In some calendars, the day was also observed on December 21, 2022.
• Uttarayan is a time for spiritual enlightenment.
• Uttarayana, also known as the Kaivalya Pada, is a season of heightened spirituality, openness, grace, and enlightenment, particularly during the period from the winter solstice to the spring equinox.
• Devayana is another name for Uttarayana, which is the time when most auspicious rituals and celebrations are carried out by several Hindu groups because it is daytime for the gods. Each of the six months makes up Uttarayana and Dakshinayana.
• Bhishma reportedly lingered on his deathbed of arrows for several weeks. While severely injured, he clung to life until Uttarayan arrived because he wanted to leverage nature's shift to further his own demise.
• On this day, Kapil Muni and Gangaji met in the ocean after Gangaji followed Bhagirath. Maharaja Bhagirathi also gave his ancestors this day, specifically on this day. In honour of that, lovely fairs are hosted at Gangasagar on Makar Sankranti.
• The notion that taking a bath in There is also a notion that taking a holy bath in the Triveni Sangam—where the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers converge at Prayagraj—is advantageous. The "Kumbh Mela" on Makar Sankranti is highly revered in the Hindu religion. During that period, taking a bath in the holy river washes away all of your sins with the current of the river.
• Due to its astrological significance, this day has had a particular place in many cultures for millennia and is commemorated in numerous ways around the globe.
• Jews refer to the day that officially ushers in winter as "Tekufah Tevet," or the Winter Solstice.
• Over 12 days in the middle of winter, the ancient Egyptians commemorated the birth of Horus, the son of the holy mother goddess Isis. Families gather to commemorate the day in China by sharing a special meal.
• The Winter Solstice is observed as Yalda or Shab-e-Yalda in Iran and the neighbouring nations of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan and Armenia.
• The celebration, which occurs on the final day of the Iranian month of Azar, is seen as the triumph of light over darkness. It is also the solar god Mithra's birthday.

Also, know about the National Solar Mission here for UPSC.

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