The winter solstice, an astronomical event of great relevance, marks the beginning of winter in the southern hemisphere, it is the shortest day of the year and the longest night, in Coyhaique the day will begin at 8:29 AM and sunset sun on the horizon at 5:10 PM. The date and time of the occurrence of the winter solstice may vary slightly from day to day and time each year in the southern hemisphere, and specifically in Aysén, it will occur exactly at 4:47 p.m. on Thursday, June 20. This moment marks the point at which the Sun reaches its maximum declination towards the south and begins its return journey towards the northern hemisphere.
This astronomical phenomenon not only affects human daily life, but also many plants enter a period of “dormancy”, reducing their metabolic activity to conserve energy, animals also adapt their behaviors, with some migrating to warmer regions and others entering in hibernation.
In various traditions, the solstice represents a time of reflection and preparation for new beginnings, symbolizing the renewal of life with the gradual return of sunlight. In Chile, festivities such as the Festival of San Juan, close to the solstice, celebrate this astronomical event with bonfires, music and dance, fusing religious and pagan elements to mark the seasonal transition.
#Chile
