The shortest day length that occurs in the Northern hemisphere is on

Question

Question

This question was previously asked in

Patna High Court Mazdoor Official Paper (Held On: 22 Jun, 2025)

Answer 1

The correct answer is Dec 22

Key Points

The shortest day length in the Northern Hemisphere occurs during the Winter Solstice, which usually falls on December 21 or 22.
In 2025, the Winter Solstice is on December 22, marking the day with the least amount of daylight.
The Winter Solstice happens because the Earth’s axial tilt is farthest away from the Sun in the Northern Hemisphere, resulting in shorter daylight hours.
On this day, the Sun appears at its lowest altitude in the sky at noon in the Northern Hemisphere.
Regions closer to the Arctic Circle experience almost no daylight during the Winter Solstice.

Additional Information

Winter Solstice: The Winter Solstice is an astronomical event that marks the official start of winter in the Northern Hemisphere.
Axial Tilt: Earth's axial tilt is approximately 23.5 degrees, which causes the variation in day length and seasons.
Solstice Meaning: The term "solstice" comes from Latin, meaning "Sun stands still," as the Sun's apparent movement north or south pauses briefly.
Opposite Effect in the Southern Hemisphere: On December 22, the Southern Hemisphere experiences its Summer Solstice, with the longest daylight hours.
Equinox vs. Solstice: While solstices mark the shortest and longest days, equinoxes occur when day and night lengths are nearly equal.