9pm to 10pm
This is as good as it gets folks! After today, we're sliding back towards winter, long dark nights and rubbish telly.
This a no-frills event. Just gather together and share in the mystery of the solstice! Sacrifices are not required to attend this event. There will be a (trackable) log book to sign, although this is not compulsory.
A souvenir badge has been added to the gallery for this event for you to display on your profile. If you're not sure how to do this just send me a message!
Solstice Factoids
There are two solstices in a calendar year, in December and June. They mark the point in the Earth's journey around the Sun at which our planet's axis is inclined directly towards the sun. In the northern hemisphere this means that today we are at our nearest to the sun, hence summer!
In the course of one year, Earth orbits around the sun. It does not complete this trip, however, with the North Pole at the top and the South Pole at the bottom because Earth is tilted. In fact, it's tilted just about 23.5º. So at different times of the year, either the northern or the southern hemisphere is tilted toward and is therefore closer to the sun.
The solstice marks the turning point, when the days begin to grow longer (in the winter) or when they begin to grow shorter (in the summer). At the solstice itself, however, the sun appears to stand still in the sky for a few days before and after. The word solstice, in fact, comes from the Latin for sun + to stand still.
As we live in the northern hemisphere (north of the equator), our half (hemisphere) of Earth is tilted toward the sun in the summer and away from the sun in the winter. The opposite is true for those living south of the equator for whom today marks their winter solstice and the start of their journey towards summer
- The actual moment of solstice is at 11:07 which is when I'm at workt! Instead we'll gather here in Liquorice Park to watch the first sunset after the solstice.
- Sunset actually occurs at 21:33, giving a total of 16 hours 58 minutes and 42 seconds of daylight. That's two seconds more than the previous day and three more than the next day!
- In terms of daylight, this day is 9 hours, 27 minutes longer than on December Solstice
- The sun will set not exactly in the west but at a bearing of 313 degrees- roughly in the north-west
- The sun will be at its highest point today at 13:03 at an altitude of 60% above the horizon exactly in the south..
Liqourice Park
Liqourice is a constituent of the root of the liquorice shrub which grows wild around the Mediterranean, including Spain. The Spanish root is sweet enough to be sucked in its raw state, whereas the root used in confectionery comes from the Eastern Mediterranean and has to be mixed with sugar and treacle to make it palatable. Hence the term 'Spanish' has been traditionally used to refer to sticks of liquorice root sweet enough to be sucked as they are. Liqourice Park is so named because Liqourice grew in this area as long ago as Roman times. Liqourice bushes can still be found growing wild in the north of the park.
Liquorice park is a community open space run by volunteers and includes a community garden, sculpture, a variety of habitats, a performance area and has stunning views of the West end of the city and beyond. This event is held with the permission and encouragement of the Trustees and volunteers. For more information follow this link.
Please note: there is limited parking on Carline Road near the coordinates. Please car-share where possible.
