Amman, Dec. 18 (Petra) -- Astronomer Imad Mujahid, a member of the Arab Union for Space and Astronomy Sciences and a fellow of the UK Royal Astronomical Society, said the winter solstice will occur next Sunday, December 21.
Mujahid explained that on this day, the sun will be directly overhead the Tropic of Capricorn, located 23.5 degrees south of the celestial equator, marking its southernmost point of the year. From this date, astronomical winter begins in the Northern Hemisphere, while summer starts in the Southern Hemisphere. Winter will last about 90 days, beginning with the traditional 40-day cold period known locally as the "Marba'aniyah." According to Mujahid, the sun will rise in Amman on the winter solstice at 7:33 a.m. from the extreme southeastern point at an azimuth of 117 degrees, 38 minutes, and 53 seconds, and will set at 5:36 p.m. at the extreme southwestern point at an azimuth of 242 degrees. The night will last 13 hours and 57 minutes, the longest of the year, while daylight will be limited to 10 hours and 3 minutes, the shortest day annually.
The Marba'aniyah, considered the coldest period of the year, will coincide with the solstice and continue for 40 days until February 1. This period is typically marked by intense cold, frost, and freezing conditions, particularly when dry and very cold easterly winds affect the region.
Mujahid noted that Arabs historically identified the winter solstice and the onset of the coldest days through the rising of the star "Qalb Al Aqrab" (Antares), which occurs around December 20 and lasts for 13 days. Antares is a red supergiant star in the Scorpius constellation, visible low in the southern sky during summer, and was traditionally associated with the harshest winter conditions.
He added that during this period, cold easterly winds intensify, accompanied by fog and rainfall. Farmers traditionally plant certain cold-resistant crops that require limited water and can yield twice annually, such as parsley, coriander, chamomile, mallow, sage, fenugreek, safflower, thyme, sugarcane, carrots, fava beans, and lentils. Fires are also lit around farms to raise temperatures and protect crops from frost damage.
Following the winter solstice, the sun begins its apparent northward movement, gradually shortening the night and lengthening the day until day and night become equal on March 21, the date of the vernal equinox.
//Petra// AO
