(2 syl.). The summer solstice is June 21st; the winter solstice
is December 22nd; so called because, on arriving at the corresponding
points of the ecliptic, the sun is stopped and made to approach the
equator again. (Latin, sol sistil or stat, the sun
stops.)
More on Solstice from Infoplease:
- solstice - solstice solstice [Lat.,=sun stands still], in astronomy, either of the two points on the ecliptic ...
- Winter Solstice for Kids - Sat., Dec. 22, 2007, 1:08 A.M. EST (06:08 UT), marks the winter solstice
- Summer Solstice for Kids - In 2007, winter begins December 22, 1:08 A.M. EST (6:08 UT)
- Winter Solstice - Sat., Dec. 22, 2007, 1:08 A.M. EST (06:08 UT), marks the solstice—the beginning of winter in the Northern Hemisphere and summer in the Southern Hemisphere
- Summer Solstice - Solstice comes from the Latin (sol, sun; sistit, stands). For several days before and after each solstice, the sun appears to stand still in the sky—that is, its noontime elevation does not seem to change.
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