Question

Which is the shortest day in Southern Hemisphere?
1. 22^nd December
2. 21^st June
3. 21^st March
4. 23^rd September

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 2 : 21^st June

The correct answer is 21st June.

• On 21st June sun rays fall vertically over the Tropic of Cancer.
• This position of the Earth is called Summer Solstice.
• On this day, It is considered the longest daylight time in Northern Hemisphere but in Southern Hemisphere, it is considered the shortest daylight time.
• The longest day in Southern Hemisphere is 22nd December i.e Winter Solstice.

• On 22nd December, the Tropic of Capricorn receives direct rays of the sun as the south pole tilts towards it.
  • As the sun’s rays fall vertically at the Tropic of Capricorn (23½° s), a larger portion of the southern hemisphere gets light.
  • Therefore, it is summer in the southern hemisphere with longer days and shorter nights. The reverse happens in the northern hemisphere.
  • This position of the earth is called the winter solstice. 
• On 21st March and 23rd September direct rays of the sun fall on the equator.
  • At this position, neither of the poles is tilted towards the sun; so, the whole earth experiences equal days and equal nights. This is called an equinox.
  • On 23rd September, it is the autumn season [season after summer and before the beginning of winter] in the northern hemisphere and spring season (season after winter and before the beginning of summer) in the southern hemisphere.
  • The opposite is the case on 21st March when it is spring in the northern hemisphere and autumn in the southern hemisphere.