Bangkok (VNA/NNT)- The National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT) hasindicated that Thailand will experience a Winter Solstice, or the longest nightin the year on December 22.

NARIT Deputy Director Dr. Saran Poshyachinda explained that the time and angleat which the sun rises and sets are different each day. However, the earth iscurrently angled 23.5 degrees away from the sun, creatingan effect whereby those living in the northern hemisphere experience longernights than the days.

The differences vary depending on the location. However, in Bangkok on December 22, the sun will rise at 6.37 a.m.and set at 5.56 p.m. This leaves only 11.19 hours of daylight.

Dr. Saran added that the earth orbits the sun in an oval revolution, making thedistance between the earth and the sun vary at any given time.

The earth is also tilted at a 23.5 degree angle, but as itrevolves around the sun, the angle of light concentration varies, therebycreating the four seasons.

The earth is typically closest to the sun in the beginning of January (atroughly 147 million kilometres), and will be farthest atthe start of July (at 152 million kilometres).-VNA