Today is the Winter Solstice

Today is the Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, which also marks the shortest day of the year, writes Brian Byrne. It has been a significant time of year in many cultures. In ancient Europe, for instance, it symbolised the Sun's death and rebirth.

Many ancient monuments are associated with the Winter Solstice; one of the most famous is Ireland's 5,000-year-old Newgrange, where, weather permitting, direct sunlight can enter the monument for 17 minutes through the small, specially designed opening above the entrance, known as the roof box. The event is now streamed by the Office of Public Works from 8.40 in the morning. 

At Stonehenge in England, there's an alignment to the monument at sunset on the day of the Solstice. The Neolithic Goseck Circle in Germany has two openings, aligned with the winter solstice sunrise and sunset, respectively. Several ancient Egyptian temples are also aligned with the winter solstice sunrise.

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