Winter Solstice 2013 on December 21

December 21 is Winter Solstice 2013. It is the day when the sun appears directly overhead along the Tropic of Capricorn, at 23.5 degrees south latitude. This Saturday in the Northern Hemisphere, will mark the shortest daylight period and longest night of the year.

In Washington, D.C., the sun is above the horizon for only 9 hours and 26 minutes, climbing 27.7º above the horizon at solar noon (12:06 p.m.). At higher latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere, the days are even shorter and the sun appears closer to the horizon.

So enjoy Winter Solstice 2013 at exactly 12:11 p.m. EST on December 21.