Book 7, Question 81
Why Do Short Winter Days Feel Cozy and Dark?
Winter days are short because your part of Earth is tilted away from the Sun. The Sun stays low and is up for fewer hours, so sunset comes early and darkness arrives sooner. That makes evenings feel dark and cozy, perfect for lamps and blankets!
From the book
Page from A Million Whys Book 7
More fun facts
- On the winter solstice, the Sun is at its lowest noon position of the year, and we get the longest night.
- In the Northern Hemisphere, the winter solstice falls on December 21 or 22.
- After the winter solstice, the days begin to get longer again.
- In Utqiaġvik, Alaska, the Sun sets in mid-November and doesn't rise again until mid-January.
- Some scientists in Alaska need the long winter darkness for their studies of the sky.
Sources: NASA Science, NASA Science, NASA Science, NASA Science
Questions kids ask
When is the shortest day of the year?
December 21 or 22 in the Northern Hemisphere.
Are there places where the Sun doesn't rise for weeks?
Yes. In Utqiaġvik, Alaska, it stays down from mid-November to mid-January.