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Shortest Day
Quiz: How much do you know about the winter solstice?
Everyone’s favourite astronomical event (or at least in top five).
THIS SUNDAY MARKS the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year.
Sure we’re practically straight into summer after that.
Let’s see how much you know about this celestial event…
What is a solstice?
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The shortest day of the year.
When the Sun reaches its highest or lowest point in the sky at noon.
When the Sun is at its highest or lowest energy output.
A type of Bichon Frisé.
In Ireland, the winter solstice is strongly associated with Newgrange, the entrance of which is aligned with the rising sun on that date. When was the portal tomb rediscovered?
Alamy
Rediscovered? It was never lost.
1699, by chance, after quarrying work began on the mound and an antiquarian staying in the area took notice.
In 2019 after a viral TikTok.
Following archaeologist Michael Kelly's survey of the area in the early 1960s.
Is Newgrange the only Irish passage tomb aligned with a solstice?
Alamy
Yes. It is an incredible feat of pre-history astronomy.
No.
How many times per year does the winter solstice take place?
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Once.
Twice.
Thrice.
Quarce.
Wait, what do you mean the winter solstice takes place twice a year?
There's actually a 'double dip' because of the Earth's wobble. Before days fully begin getting longer again, they get very slightly shorter around New Year's.
Once for the northern hemisphere, once for the southern hemisphere.
Strictly speaking, 21 December to 21 December is one year, right?
I knew that the answer was twice, and why, so you don't need to explain to me, thanks.
Malin Head is Ireland's most northern point. The length of the day on 21 June 2025 was 17 hours 27 minutes. What will it be on 21 December 2025?
Alamy
13 hours 30 minutes
7 hours 5 minutes
3 hours 50 minutes
1 hour 15 minutes
Although we don't associate it with this time anymore, the phrase halcyon days originally referred to the winter solstice. Why?
Alamy
Even before modern Christmas due to the various ancient traditions of midwinter festivals, it has always been a time associated with celebration.
It was a period of still, calm weather around the solstice, as per the story of Alcyone in Greek mythology.
It was a time when you had to focus on the bright times ahead because of the dark nights.
I don't know, I literally only know that phrase from the ad which used to always be on RTÉ Radio 1.
In some areas, the solstice is the height of the polar night, when the Sun remains below the horizon for weeks. In which city might you experience this phenomenon?
Alamy
Cork, Ireland
Murmansk, Russia
Reykjavík, Iceland
Anchorage, Alaska
The Sun comes to an apparent standstill in the sky during the solstice (in Latin, sol means sun and sistere means to stand still), but it's impossible for a casual observer to see the exact moment. When will it happen this year?
Alamy
12.01am
8.05am
7.45pm
3.03pm
Finally, what is the gross tonnage of the cruise liner Celebrity Solstice?
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121,878
65,000
1,002,233
Are you taking the piss?
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You scored out of !
You are the Sun.
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You scored out of !
You are a druid of some description.
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You scored out of !
Not bad, sure you've a lot still to learn about astronomy.
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You scored out of !
You really have to get up to speed with the celestial calendar.
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You scored out of !
You have been living under a rock (this one).
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