The following photograph was shot during at noon on December 21, 2009 and gives you an idea of the sun’s position in the sky in Toronto, Ontario. I came across this beautiful shadow of a basketball net cast against a rugged shed.

Winter Solstice occurs exactly when the earth’s axial tilt is farthest away from the sun at its maximum of 23° 26′. Though the Winter Solstice lasts only an instant in time, the term is also colloquially used as Midwinter or contrastingly the first day of winter to refer to the day on which it occurs. More evident to those in high latitudes, this is the shortest day, and longest night, and the sun’s daily maximum position in the sky is the lowest.