‘The word “solstice” means the standing still of the sun. Of course, the sun never stands still…’

It’s the winter solstice today.

So, from today, we northern hemisphere-ers start to see a tiny bit more daylight – admittedly, it’s a very slow process.

To celebrate the day, here are two newspaper reports that explain the science of the solstices – we especially like the diagram in the second article.

Dundee Courier – Monday 21 December 1908

Image © D.C.Thomson & Co. Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000164/19081221/051/0004

Dundee Courier – Monday 22 June 1931

Image © D.C.Thomson & Co. Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000564/19310622/106/0006