Winter Solstice is a very significant day in Alaska. After experiencing so much darkness, Alaskan welcome the solstice. Starting on the day of Winter Solstice, daylight will increase by small increments until we hit the Alaskan summer, full of sun and barely any darkness. =)
According to ADN.com, "The solstice is the day in which the earth appears to stand still and then shifts direction in its elliptical orbit of the sun. By Jan. 1, Anchorage will get 12 more minutes of daylight. University of Alaska astronomer Travis Rector says that at this time of year, the sun moves north in the sky, and it is also moving to the east. As a result, that means it will rise later and set later."
I can't even imagine the changes you experience in daylight (or lack thereof!). I have a tough time just adjusting to daylight savings time!
I grew up in Alaska Vanna and remember Winter Solstice well! Alaska is the most beautiful state I have ever seen and I think about it every day.
Start enjoying those extra minutes of daylight! I remember playing frisbee in the park off of 5th avenue in the summer, with daylight at 11:30pm in 1981. Good times!
Hi Vanna,
Your state is one of those on my "list" I'd love to see it some day. In the mean time I know you're a hearty bunch. Merry Christmas!
HI Ruth, the winters in Anchorage are really not so bad. We get about 5 hours of daylight on our darkest days. The snow sure brightens things up, so it's a good thing we get tons of that white stuff!
Hi Vic, why did you leave? Alaska is a beautiful place to live. I love it up here!
Hi Lynda, you have to see Alaska! It is a beautiful state with so much to do, in the winter time and summer time.
Vanna....Thanks for sharing the information. I know it has to be hard with so little daylight....but you make up for it in beauty when the sun does shine! My parents have been there twice and say it is beautiful!
Have a great day!
Hi Rob,
Yes, the summers more than make up for the darkness. Although, the darkness really isn't that bad. =)
And yes, i am blessed to live in a such a beautiful place. ~Vanna
I'll bet it DOES matter if you live there. Happy Solstice!
Hi Leslie, It does matter! It's not just more daylight that's exciting, it's the shift in the season!