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December Solstice 2010 sun and moon rises and sets

On December 18, a day-long silent meditation retreat honors the solstice, which is on December 21. This is the farthest south the sun appears during the year here in the northern hemisphere of earth. This is the shortest day/longest night of the year here and is the first day of winter. This year is special because there is an eclipse of the full moon. I photographed sunset/moonrise the night before the solstice, December 20, and sunrise/moonset the next morning, December 21. See the panorama (choices below).

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Photo times: Dec 20 sunset at 4:39 p.m. and moonrise at 4:51 p.m.. Dec 21 sunrise at 6:36 a.m. and moonset at 6:10 a.m.. The horizon was overcast for both moonrise and moonset but I'm assuming the moon somewhat follows the June sun path. Compare the positions at at Deer Lake State Park with that of March equinox, June solstice, and September equinox.

See the panorama including them all, 4 seasons in one.

The Panorama

There are four ways to view the same sunrise/sunset scene: QuickTime small or full screen. Flash small or full screen.

Equipment

Solstice schedule

Schedule prepared for local observation and panorama

Dec. 20

Moonrise: 4:18 p.m. CST
Sunset: 4:47 p.m. CST

Dec. 21

Sunrise: 6:35 a.m. CST
Moonset: 6:50 a.m. CST
Moonrise: 5:21 p.m. CST
Solstice: 5:38 p.m. CST

See Happening, Day-long silent meditation retreat or 12 solstices and equinoxes.