Which event is associated with the shortest night of the year?

Which event is associated with the shortest night of the year?

• A. Equinox
• B. Full Moon
• C. Winter Solstice
• D. New Moon

Answer: (C)

Think about how long darkness lasts as the tilt of Earth’s axis changes how much daylight we get. The shortest night occurs when the Sun stays highest in the sky, which happens around the summer solstice. On that day, daylight is longest and night is shortest. By contrast, the winter solstice brings the longest night, with the Sun staying low in the sky. An equinox gives roughly equal day and night, not the shortest night. Moon phases—the full Moon or new Moon—don't affect how long night lasts.

Think about how long darkness lasts as the tilt of Earth’s axis changes how much daylight we get. The shortest night occurs when the Sun stays highest in the sky, which happens around the summer solstice. On that day, daylight is longest and night is shortest. By contrast, the winter solstice brings the longest night, with the Sun staying low in the sky. An equinox gives roughly equal day and night, not the shortest night. Moon phases—the full Moon or new Moon—don't affect how long night lasts.