Yesterday marked what is traditionally called the shortest day of the year. With the definition of day meaning the least amount of sunlight we’ll see. It is odd that it’s also when the Earth is closest to the Sun but after taking Astronomy in high school, I learned the hemispheres’ temperatures are affected by the axial tilt, not proximity.
Dr. Phil Plait explains it much better here.
Now to anticipate when I won’t be leaving work in the dark!
One thing I have to give Austin credit for, being closer to the Equator is nicer. I never thought having 45 minutes more sunlight during the Winter would help. It isn’t much yet due to my adopted home being a tad more West, the sun rises later (well after 7 AM) which leads to it setting by 5:30 PM. Back when I was really sad 20 years ago, the sun was down by 4:30 PM. Thus I would be leaving on my 40-minute commute in the dark. We also have it better in Summer; the sun sets around the same time (8:30 PM) as the Midwest, it just doesn’t rise around 5:30 AM to deprive us of sleep.
Onward to more sunlight!