MnGCA

[eagleyes]

This is a HAPPY DAY of the year for me . From now on the days will be getting longer - more daylight hours!!!! Even though we won't see the results for awhile - psychologically it is an upper!!!!!
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LIFE IS GOOD;CABIN LIFE IS GREAT

[Buzzygirl]

Yep, I too enjoy the fact that very soon, the days will be getting longer. Actually, here at 45 degrees north latitude, the sunrises will not start getting earlier until January 5th, but as of 12/22/04, the sunsets will start getting later by about 1-2 minutes each day.

Here is a link to the U.S. Naval Observatory's daily sunrise/sunset data:

http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/RS_OneDay.html

Some fun facts:

"Solstice" is a Latin term which literally translates as "standing-still-Sun". It appears that the Sun follows the same path across the sky for the next couple of days, neither getting higher nor lower in our sky; the Sun is now highest over the Tropic of Capricorn, approx. 23.27 S. latitude.

The Earth is actually closer to the Sun in January than in July; 91.5 million miles in January and 95 million miles in July. This isn't enough to make a difference in our climate though.

Here is an illustrated explanation for why we experience seasons:

http://www.crh.noaa.gov/fsd/astro/season.htm

[eagleyes]

Sunrises stay the same- but in a week we will have 6 more minutes of daylight at the end of each day- When I was working- my next happy day would be when I could drive to work without my lights on in the morning- but in retirement it doesn't matter- I guess I look for little happiness makers in my life- and those are 2- BUT I DREAD the solstice in June- when just before we get to the height of summer, the nights start getting shorter- bummer-
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LIFE IS GOOD;CABIN LIFE IS GREAT

[KC0GRN]

Couple that with DST in April, and I'll be able to get out caching after work again Still it's good to know that the days will start getting longer.

[TwentySeven]

A friend of mine never has a "Christmas Party". She has a Winter Solstice party. It's a nice get together at the holidays, without the stress of the holiday. I always find it refreshing. Just bring your favorite bottle and plan on a good time.

Shane

P.S. It's easy to remember my wifes birthday. It's on the Summer Solstice!
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APRS: Combining Hamradio with a GPSr.
Where am I?

[*green*]

eagleyes, I was so tickled to see this thread you started!

I celebrate the year differently than most folks (I do most everthang differently than most folks!) and my New Year's Eve is the Solstice with, naturally the first day of *my* new year being the first day that's a titch longer with more sun! I'm sssoooo ruled by the sun.

And as xcited as I get about the Winter Solstice, the Summer Solstice brings me just as down. Oh! I just saw you said the same thing! Ittiz nice to know I'm not the only person out there like this. Always thought I was... You're the first person I've run across that feels much as I do.

Buzzy, you know some o'the NEATEST things!

[Buzzygirl]

Why, thank you, green.

We just passed another marker in the solar year. Last Sunday was the vernal equinox... in other words, spring has sprung. The Sun is currently as high as it was last September 19th.

Spring is my favorite season by far!

[*green*]

Buzzy, you absolutely crack me up. You can't just say, "We just had the vernal equinox." No... You gotta toss in the Sept 19th thighy!

I didn't know that! About being the same as Sept 19! No wonder Sept seems cold lots o'times.

WE and I were just talking about the VE. And getting all giggley over the ever lenghtening days. HOO-HA! Ittiz still lite at 6:00 PM! I CAN'T WAIT for those 9:30 PM sunsets up north fishing... 'Bout to go nutz waiting.

Say, think you can send me the recipe for the pasta salad you brought to The Re-Hash Bash? That was good $%!*, Maynard!

[Buzzygirl]