Thursday, Dec. 22 is longest night in 2011 due to winter solstice

Filipinos can expect to experience the longest night on Thursday, Dec. 22, as the sun reaches the winter solstice, state astronomers said.

 

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said the solstice will start at 1:38 p.m.

 

"Ang araw ay inaasahan na sisikat 6:16 a.m. bukas at lulubog 5:32 p.m. mamaya. Ito ang pinakamahabang gabi sa taong ito. Ito ang tinatawag na winter season sa northern hemisphere (This will be the longest night. The sun will set at 5:32 p.m. and rise on Friday at 6:16 a.m.)," PAGASA administrator Nathaniel Servando said in an interview on dwIZ radio.

 

PAGASA's December astronomical diary said this marks the time when the sun lies at its farthest point south of the equator.

 

The event signals the onset of winter in the northern hemisphere and summer in the southern hemisphere.

 

"The Philippine nights will be longer than daytime. Earth has now completed another annual circuit around the sun," PAGASA said. –KG, GMA News