Which one of the following statements with regard to the winter solstice is correct?
The South Pole experiences 24 hours of darkness.
It occurs on June 21.
The North Pole experiences 24 hours of darkness.
The Sun is at aphelion.
Answer is Right!
Answer is Wrong!
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-1 – 2017
– Statement B: It occurs on June 21. June 21 is the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere and the winter solstice in the Southern Hemisphere. Assuming the question refers to the Northern Hemisphere winter solstice, this statement is incorrect.
– Statement C: The North Pole experiences 24 hours of darkness. During the Northern Hemisphere winter solstice (around Dec 21/22), the North Pole is tilted away from the Sun, resulting in the Sun not rising above the horizon for 24 hours (polar night). This statement is correct.
– Statement D: The Sun is at aphelion. Aphelion is the point in Earth’s orbit when it is farthest from the Sun, which occurs around July 4th. Solstices are determined by Earth’s axial tilt relative to its orbit, not its distance from the Sun. This statement is incorrect.