December 2017
Topical Science December 2017
NEWGRANGE AND THE WINTER SOLSTICE These are the darkest days, for those of us who live in the northern hemisphere. The midday sun is at its lowest position in the sky and the nights are at their longest, while the hours of daylight are at a minimum. To the people who lived in the Boyne valley five millennia ago, it was the end of their year. But they built a most remarkable edifice to mark to beginning of each New Year; the national monument at Newgrange, now classified as a UNESCO heritage site.
This year, the December solstice falls on December 21st. Here in the northern hemisphere, we have the winter solstice, but of course it is the summer solstice in the southern hemisphere. The word ‘solstice’ means ‘sun stands still’ because, on this date, the sun appears to literally stop in its tracks. It is at its most southerly position relative to us, and it seems to pause, before beginning its journey back north again. Continued on page 2
Contents This issue is devoted to the Astronomical event known as the December Solstice In the Northern Hemisphere, it occurs on the shortest day of the year (i.e. when the hours of daylight are at a minimum.) We call it the Winter Solstice. Page 2: What happens at the Solstice? Page 3: The Newgrange National Monument. Page 4. The date of the Solstice.