solstitial etymology

Etymology

The word "solstitial" comes from the Latin word "solstitium," which means "sun-standing" or "sun-stop."

Meaning

The term "solstice" refers to two specific points in the Earth's orbit around the Sun when the Sun's declination (the angle between the Sun's rays and the Earth's equator) is at its greatest:

• Summer solstice (June solstice): Occurs on or around June 21 or 22 in the Northern Hemisphere and December 21 or 22 in the Southern Hemisphere. The Sun is at its highest point in the sky at noon on this day.
• Winter solstice (December solstice): Occurs on or around December 21 or 22 in the Northern Hemisphere and June 21 or 22 in the Southern Hemisphere. The Sun is at its lowest point in the sky at noon on this day.

Origin

The concept of the solstices has been known to ancient civilizations for thousands of years. The first known reference to the solstices is in the Babylonian tablets dating back to the 18th century BCE.

In many ancient cultures, the solstices were marked by special ceremonies and rituals. The summer solstice was often celebrated as a time of abundance and fertility, while the winter solstice was seen as a time of darkness and danger.

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