The detailed study of the stars, planets, galaxies and comets are is applied in the understanding of the cosmic background radiation that takes place consistently beyond the atmosphere of the Earth. The revelations have largely affected and influenced man’s understanding of evolution, meteorology and the laws of physics. The movements observed have enabled scientists to gain a deeper understanding of the celestial objects as part of and the origin of the development of the universe. In fact, astronomy is one of the oldest sciences applied! Earlier, astronomers were very methodical in approach of their observations of the night sky. This observation-based science was only able to develop into the modern science it is today, after the invention of the telescope.

Astronomy includes the combination of other disciplines such as celestial navigation, astrometry and observational astronomy and astrology. However, recent research declares the science of professional astronomy to be synonymous with that of astro-physics. Professional astronomy is studied under the theoretical and observational branches. While the observational branch of astronomy focuses on the collection and analysis of data, the theoretical branch of astronomy involves the development of analytical models, to better describe the various astronomical objects and phenomena sighted. The two branches of astronomy are used in combination to explain the observations and confirm theoretical results.

Astronomy for beginners is an amazing sphere to explore, especially considering the fact that a number of amateurs have contributed squarely to many astronomical discoveries. Astronomy is also believed to be one of the few sciences where amateurs play an active role! This springs from the fact that their recorded data helps a lot in the discovery and observation of transient celestial phenomena. Astronomy and astrology have two commonalities; both observe the positions of celestial objects and share a common origin. Besides this, the use of ephemerides in either is distinct. Read the rest of this entry »

In the field of studies such as geography, the term solstice refers to either of the two times of a given year wherein the Sun is farthest from the celestial Equator. Even though this definition is absolutely correct, there is a lot more to know about what is solstice than what is defined in it. Did you know that December solstice – at times known as ‘winter solstice’ in the United States, which marks the beginning of winter in the northern hemisphere, actually marks the beginning of summer in the southern hemisphere? Not many people are aware of these solstice facts, and this has resulted in widespread myths about this phenomenon. In order to understand what does solstice mean and how it occurs, you need to get a good understanding of some basic facts about the Sun and the Earth.

What is Solstice?
The driving factors when it comes to occurrence of solstice are Earth’s revolution around the Sun and its rotation along its axis, which is tilted at 23.5° – both of which contribute to Sun’s apparent position in the sky. Interestingly, these are also the driving factors when it comes to different seasons on the planet. As a result of revolution and rotation of Earth, the Sun is directly overhead at the tropic of Cancer and tropic of Capricorn twice in a year. This journey of the Sun can be traced from the equator to the tropic of Cancer at 23.5°North, back to the Equator and then down south to the tropic of Capricorn at 23.5°South over the period of a year. When it reaches its northernmost or southernmost extreme, the Sun appears to stand still for sometime before resuming its journey. This very period when the Sun is still right overhead the tropic of Cancer or tropic of Capricorn is known as solstice. In fact, the term solstice is derived from the combination of two Latin words sol meaning the Sun and sistere meaning to stand still. Similarly when the Sun is right at the Equator, it is referred to as equinox. As a result of the tilted axis of Earth, the areas near the south pole experience darkness for 24 hours on the day when the Sun is at its extreme north. Similarly, when the Sun is at its extreme south, the areas near north pole experience darkness for 24 hours a day.

Other Names for Solstice
Even though solstice is known by different names in different parts of the world, its naming on the basis of month and hemisphere has got worldwide acceptance. Basically, this astronomical phenomenon – which is attributed to the Sun reaching its maximum declination, occurs twice in a year – once in June, owing to which it is named June solstice, and then in December, owing to which it is referred to as December solstice. While these names are given on the basis of month in which the phenomenon occurs, it can be also named on the basis of hemisphere in which the Sun is positioned. When the Sun is at its northern extreme, it is referred to as northern solstice and when it is at its southern extreme it is referred to as southern solstice.
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