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We begin the long haul back from shortest day
Thursday, June 21, 2012 • Roger Handford
FROM 11.09am today we began our journey back to the warmth and light of summer.

However, although today marks the astronomical point in the year known as the winter solstice in the Southern Hemisphere, it will be a while yet before Gisborne-East Coast residents can expect any improvement in the weather.

This is because of the large lag in the time it takes for heat to start building up in the southern atmosphere and oceans.

From today the Sun will climb a little higher in our sky each day and the days will start to lengthen.

Traditionally last night was the longest night and yesterday was — if one wishes to calculate these things — the shortest day.

However, for non-mathematical hairsplitters, the physical difference of day and night length is not actually noticeable over this week.

The solstice is thought to be the first astronomical event recorded by humans after noting the phases of the Moon.

It is recorded in the placement of standing stones in megalithic monuments dating back some 8000 years and is the beginning point for developing an accurate calendar.

Marking where the Sun rose and set each day from a fixed viewing point led to the science of astronomy and along the way, record-keeping, writing and the alphabet, and the foundation for many other sciences.

The solstice closely coincides with Matariki — the Maori New Year — and all over the world cultures celebrate these events.

In Gisborne, the astronomical society is inviting the public to mark Matariki by joining members at Tatapouri to view the rising of Matariki.

The gathering is on Saturday, starting at 5.30am at Dive Tatapouri — the weather gods allowing. There will be telescopes available, talks on Matariki, song and dance, and a breakfast hangi.
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