The summer solstice on December 21, 2024, marks the longest day of the year for Australia, offering over 15 hours of daylight for those on the southernmost parts of the continent. With the sun rising before 6am and setting post-8pm within the AEDT timezone, Australians are gearing up for what many locals refer to as their best evening of the year. Cities like Hobart and Darwin will experience vastly different lengths of daylight, with Hobart basking for 15 hours and 22 minutes, significantly outshining Darwin's 12 hours and 52 minutes of sunshine.
This year’s solstice is especially remarkable considering the curious juxtaposition with the Northern Hemisphere, whose residents are experiencing the winter solstice—the shortest day of the year. Anu Besson, who migrated from Finland to Perth over a decade ago, recalls the drastic differences, stating, "From November to late January, it’s like four to five hours of daylight per day." On the contrary, Besson now enjoys the vibrant summer days of Australia, where twilight stretches long and stretches life outdoors.
The origin of the word solstice stems from the Latin words for sun (sol) and to stand still (sister), indicating the phenomenon of the sun appearing to stand still at its highest. Marking this occasion, many Australians dedicate the day to outdoor activities, family gatherings, or simple relaxation under the sun. While festivities may not be as prominently marked as they are with Northern Hemisphere counterparts during their summer solstice, activities around Christmas with the extended hours create their own form of celebration.
During the solstice, as the southern hemisphere leans most toward the sun, the stark differences between global experiences of solstices stand out. While sunlight floods Australian cities, many parts of Finland experience darkness, with limited daylight hours affecting normal life. "To determine when the sun shines, we look for important markers each year such as the winter solstice, which falls on the same day," comments local experts.
Days leading up to the summer solstice often include community excitement as families plan gatherings and celebrations. Yet, the spirit takes on another form for those who have lived through drastically shorter days. Reflecting on her time back home, Besson points to cultural practices like ensuring safety on dark winter streets. "A common practice is to wear personal safety reflectors so you’ll be visible to drivers," she explained.
The use of reflectors is not merely for fun; it's woven deeply within Finnish culture, especially during the long, cold months when visibility is low. Data from the Finnish Road Safety Council highlights the life-saving effectiveness of these devices, commonly shaped like snowflakes, used by over half of pedestrians walking after dark. On average, without reflectors, drivers may see pedestrians only up to 150 meters away; with reflectors, visibility improves to over 600 meters.
The traditions tied to these two events—the summer solstice and the winter solstice—are reflective of the geographical disparities of the seasons. Where the summer solstice signifies long days filled with light and warmth, the winter solstice marks receiving only minimal sunlight and frigid temperatures. Besson, whose family still resides near Oulu, Finland, embraces the novelty of open evenings punctuated by activities under the sun. "I never actually thought about whether it was the law or not, it was just sort of a custom," she said about the reflector rules back home.
For Australia, the lengthening days continue to showcase the joys of summer—outdoor barbecues, late-night stargazing, and perhaps even the ever-important crab dishes and Christmas lights. Despite the cultural disparity with other countries, particularly those like Finland, the solstice aligns Australians with the simple joy of basking under the sun. Such global perspectives serve to cultivate respect and appreciation for how the essence of daylight varies across the world.
This solstice offers Australians the chance to revel long under the sunny skies, contrasting it with the deep winter darkness faced elsewhere. A reminder, perhaps, to savor each ray of sunshine and appreciate its globalization—whether celebrating the long day or the cultures connected by shared celestial events.