In the Winter Season

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Chickadees are zesty, resilient, and friendly — so much so they've been known to eat out of peoples' hands.
Chickadees are zesty, resilient, and friendly — so much so they've been known to eat out of peoples' hands.
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You can expect a little snow in the winter season, there's still plenty to do and see.
You can expect a little snow in the winter season, there's still plenty to do and see.
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A sky map of constellations you could see in January 1994.
A sky map of constellations you could see in January 1994.
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A sky map of constellations you could expect to see in December.
A sky map of constellations you could expect to see in December.

It’s almost 1994, so I’ll begin by wishing you “Happy New Year!” Every culture must choose a time in history at which to begin its count of years and days. But did you ever wonder why our culture chose to hold New Year’s day during the winter season as opposed to spring, the time of rebirth? After all, societies such as the ancient Romans and even England (up until 1752) considered the spring equinox the most appropriate start of the new year, when sprouting and greening start taking place.

Many societies, including our own, have decided that the calendar year should be held at the start of the recovery period after the lowest growing point of the year. This low point, called winter solstice, is when the heavily populated north temperate zone of Earth experiences its shortest day; the Sun rises and sets farthest south.

But why January 1, which falls 10 or 11 days after the solstice? Probably because the length of the day and the southernness of the Sun changes only slightly in the weeks surrounding the solstice. In ancient times when the calendar was first established, it took observers over a week to realize that the nights were getting shorter after solstice, the Sun was setting farther north, and the celebration of the new year was truly justified.

Winter Weather

Thawing Out in January

  • Published on Dec 1, 1993
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