Solstice

Solstice is derived from two Latin words: "sol" meaning sun, and "sistere" to cause to stand still.

The Winter Solstice marks the first day of the season of winter. It falls on or near 21 December. In the southern hemisphere, the Winter solstice is celebrated in June when the northern hemisphere celebrates the Summer solstice

The Winter solstice is the time in December when the sun reaches its southern most latitude and therefore appear at its lowest in the sky at noon. The Winter solstice is the shortest day.

This is because the North Pole leans away from the sun. After the Winter solstice the Sun follows a higher and higher path through the sky each day until it is in the sky for exactly 12 hours. This occurs on the Spring Equinox.

After the Spring Equinox, the Sun still continues to follow a higher and higher path through the sky, with the days growing longer and longer, until it reaches it highest point in the sky on the Summer Solstice.