Happy Winter Solstice!
Not sure what that is? Briefly, Winter Solstice is the day when the noon sun is at its lowest altitude and we have the short day/longest night of the year in the northern hemisphere. (To learn more about the science, check out this explanation from UAF:
Being this far north, Alaska swings between long summer days and short winter ones. Here in Southcentral Alaska, the shortest day of the year gives us about five and a half hours of daylight. But in the far north, they don’t see the sun from November to February. I like Alaskan summers better, but winter has benefits, too. It’s kind of nice to have cozy winter nights. I read and write a lot more this time of year. And I think it would be boring to have the same daytime the whole year round—apologies to my friends near the equator!
Many Alaskans celebrate Winter Solstice to welcome the increasing light we gain after December 21st. Festivities can vary from an evening gathering around a friend’s firepit or woodstove, to community functions like Anchorage’s Solstice Tour of Trees, to Fairbanks’ Winter Solstice Week including fireworks and artistic events. Personally, we often celebrate at home. This year, we’re hosting a party with friends.
Whether you celebrate Winter Solstice, another holiday, or none at all, the end of the year is a good time to think about the past, look forward to future, and be thankful for what we have. I’m thankful for the people I love and the work I do. I’m also grateful for you all—I appreciate you, and thanks for spending your valuable time with me!
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