Qatar Marks Winter Solstice as Astronomical Winter Officially Begins
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Qatar marks winter solstice, showcasing Earth's astronomical shift and cultural significance of the season.
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Qatar is marking the winter solstice today, signalling the end of astronomical autumn and the official start of winter in the Northern Hemisphere, according to the Qatar Meteorology Department.
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The winter solstice occurs as a result of Earth’s axial tilt of approximately 23.5 degrees as it orbits the Sun. On this day, the Northern Hemisphere is tilted farthest away from the Sun, placing it directly overhead at the Tropic of Capricorn. This precise geometric alignment, rather than a sudden weather shift, defines the beginning of astronomical winter.
As a result, the Sun traces its shortest and lowest path across the sky, giving Qatar and the rest of the Northern Hemisphere the shortest day and longest night of the year. From Monday onward, daylight hours will begin to increase gradually, although colder winter conditions typically continue for several weeks.
Farther north, at and beyond the Arctic Circle, the Sun does not rise at all during the winter solstice, creating the phenomenon known as polar night, when darkness lasts for a full 24 hours.
Beyond its scientific significance, the winter solstice also holds deep cultural and historical meaning. Ancient monuments such as Stonehenge in England were deliberately aligned with the December solstice, allowing the setting Sun to descend in precise alignment with the stone circle, marking midwinter as it did thousands of years ago.
In Qatar, today’s solstice stands as both an astronomical milestone in Earth’s annual journey around the Sun and a natural indicator that the region has entered the season of cooler temperatures and longer winter nights.