June Winter Solstice

[gaa_ian]

You will see on the IIS calandar that the Winter Solstice is almost upon us
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/calendar/calendar.php?mode=view&id=304

I thought it would be a good topic for my science show and the podcast of the interview is on http://www.askthescienceguru.com/

I must admit it is not something I had taken a lot of notice of, but this is an event that is deeply rooted in the traditions of many cultures around the world.

Huge stone edifices such as Stonehenge (England), Chankillo (Peru) and even the Australian bush at Wurdi Youang, from perhaps the earliest Astronomers in the world, our own aboriginal people, are testament to it's signifigance:
http://www.atnf.csiro.au/research/AboriginalAstronomy/Examples/WurdiYouang.htm

It make you feel like a bit of a beginner really ;)

[glenc]

Thanks Ian for an interesting post.

[iceman]

Thanks Ian. It's always a nice time of year to know that the days will start getting longer again and I won't get home in the dark.. eventually!

[JimmyH155]

Is it June 21st or has it now moved to June 22nd. I read somewhere that the solstice has slipped a day because of precession and moving out from Aries?:shrug:

[Ric]

Very interesting indeed Ian

Apparently it is the true 1st day of winter as well.

Cheers

[gaa_ian]

Yes the solstice is upon us !
I think I will just have to have a observing session this evening to mark the solstice, out at one of our beautiful beaches :thumbsup:
Interesting to know it is the true start of winter Ric !

[Ric]

A little off topic tip as well Ian.

If you observe 21 September as the true first day of Spring and plant out your tomatoes/veges then you never have them killed off by frost.:thumbsup:

This may be be more for the southern states though, I expect you don't get too many frosts in the NT :lol:

Cheers

[CoombellKid]

Actually tomatoes dont do too bad in winter up here in northern NSW. As
long as they dont get too much of a belting from the frost.

regards,CS

[glenc]

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/06/21/2281866.htm (http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/06/21/2281866.htmAbout)
About 30,000 people have gathered in the rain by the mysterious standing stones of England's Stonehenge to mark the Summer Solstice, as dawn broke on the longest day of the year.
At exactly 4:58am (local time), the hotch-potch of druids, hippies and the merely curious cheered as the first glimpse of sunrise was detected through the rain clouds...