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Return of the Sun

Happy Winter Solstice Day, the shortest day of the year.

Let the longer days begin!

 

Earth’s axis has an around 23-degree tilt and without this, not only would our planet not have a Winter Solstice, it would not have seasons at all.

Without the axial tilt, the sun would remain directly above the Equator, and everywhere on the planet would receive the same amount of light the year through.

 

Scientists are not entirely sure how the tilt occurred, but they think that billions of years ago, as the solar system was taking shape, the Earth was subject to violent collisions that caused the axis to tilt.

 

And brings us that much closer to Spring!

For our friends in the southern hemisphere Autumn begins.

 

First light on Jasper's Pyramid Peak reflected in Pyramid Lake.

 

 

 

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Uploaded on December 21, 2021
Taken on September 30, 2012