Daglängden

Daglängden refers to the duration of daylight in a specific location on Earth. It is determined by the Earth's axial tilt and its orbit around the sun. As the Earth orbits the sun, different parts of the planet receive varying amounts of direct sunlight throughout the year. This variation causes the length of the day and night to change.

In the Northern Hemisphere, the longest day of the year is the summer solstice, typically occurring around June 20th or 21st. On this day, the North Pole is tilted most directly towards the sun, resulting in the maximum number of daylight hours. Conversely, the shortest day is the winter solstice, around December 21st or 22nd, when the North Pole is tilted furthest away from the sun.

The Southern Hemisphere experiences the opposite pattern. Its summer solstice occurs around December 21st or 22nd, and its winter solstice around June 20th or 21st. Near the equator, the variation in daglängden throughout the year is minimal. The equinoxes, spring and autumn, occur around March 20th or 21st and September 22nd or 23rd, respectively. On these days, both hemispheres receive roughly equal amounts of daylight and darkness. The precise daglängden at any given latitude and date can be calculated using astronomical formulas. This phenomenon is fundamental to understanding seasons and various ecological and astronomical cycles.