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Astro*Dictionary by Michael Erlewine

 

 

 

 

5 articles for "Solstice"

Solstice [Astro*Index]

Literally, the 'Sun standing still'. The moment of time at which the Sun reaches its greatest northern or southern Declination, which occurs on JUN 21 and DEC 21, respectively, of the Gregorian calendar. On these dates, the noonday Sun will pass through the Zenith (directly overhead) at all geographic latitudes having the same value as the Declination of the Sun; i.e., along the parallels of latitude which are approximately 23.45° north and south of the Earth's equator. These latitude circles are called the Tropic of Cancer (north) and the Tropic of Capricorn (south). The band of geographic latitudes lying between these boundaries is called the Torrid Zone. Within the Torrid Zone, the Sun will pass through the observer's Zenith sometime during the year.

See also:
♦ Declination ♦ Gregorian Calendar ♦ Zenith ♦ Parallel ♦ Tropic of Cancer ♦ Tropic of Capricorn ♦ Torrid Zone
Solstice [Prima]

The two points on the ecliptic farthest from the equator are the solstices. They denote the beginning of winter (0° Ç) and the beginning of summer (0° -). Viewed from the Earth, a solstice occurs when the Sun has reached its farthest point and has come to a standstill (solstice) in its movement away from the equator.

See also:
♦ Declination ♦ Gregorian Calendar ♦ Zenith ♦ Parallels of Latitude ♦ Tropic of Cancer ♦ Tropic of Capricorn ♦ Torrid Zone
Solstice [Munkasey M.]

The times when the Sun reaches its maximum declination values, either North or South. The start of Summer occurs when the Sun is at its maximum Northern declination, and the start of Winter occurs when the Sun is at its maximum Southerly declination. The Solstice Points are about halfway in between the Equinoctal Points, or Equinoxes.

See also:
♦ Declination ♦ Gregorian Calendar ♦ Zenith ♦ Parallels of Latitude ♦ Tropic of Cancer ♦ Tropic of Capricorn ♦ Torrid Zone
Solstices [DeVore]

The points in the Ecliptic at which the Sun is at its greatest distance north or south of the Equator, so-called because the Sun then appears to stand still. The Summer Solstice occurs when the Sun is at 0° Cancer, about June 21; the Winter Solstice, at 0° Capricorn, about December 21.

See also:
♦ Tropical Zodiac ♦ Celestial Sphere ♦ Declination ♦ Ecliptic
Solstice Points [Astro*Index]

The two points on the Celestial Sphere which mark the Sun's position at the moment of time at which the Sun reaches its greatest northern or southern Declination. At such times, the Tropical Longitude of the Sun will be approximately CAN00° or CAP00°. In general, precise agreement can not be expected, as the Sun does not travel precisely along the Ecliptic, but has a small latitude. Nevertheless, the two points lying on the Ecliptic at CAN00° and CAP00° are usually taken as the Solstice Points.

See also:
♦ Tropical Zodiac ♦ Celestial Sphere ♦ Declination ♦ Ecliptic

 

Astro*Index Copyright © 1997 Michael Erlewine

 

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