Solstice Isn't Even

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Now! The solstice at last! Sure, the worst of winter is still ahead. No, the dawn doesn't come dramatically sooner, nor the sunset noticeably later, at first.

Posted by: mindful webworker - solar powered at December 20, 2014 09:54 AM (5Ev1l)

Actually, the sunrise keeps getting later for about two weeks after the solstice.

The earliest sunset was about two weeks before the solstice, and it has gradually been getting later since then. But the sunrise has been getting later faster than the sunset is getting later, so the overall length of daylight has been decreasing.

After the solstice, the process reverses. Now the sunset is getting later faster than the sunrise is getting later, so the overall length of daylight begins increasing.

This is the case for 40º N, at least. The specifics may be different for other latitudes. I believe it has something to do with Earth's elliptical orbit.