Sunrise - Sunset, and the Day the Earth Stood Still

Sunrise - Sunset

and the day the Earth Stood Still

Solstice - the longest night of the year, and justifiably a cause of celebration on many levels.

Curiosity prompted me to see just how long the night of December 22 is in Parkdale, Oregon. What time did the sun rise, and what time did it set, officially.

Well, here are the times of sunrise and sunset from December 21 till today, January seventh, as supplied by “The Weather Channel”.

December 21 7:43 am 4:25pm

December 22 7:44 4:25

December 23 7:45 4:25

December 24 7:45 4:25

December 25 7:45 4:27

December 26 Forgot to check

December 27 7:46 4:28

December 28 7:46 4:29

December 29 7:46 4:29

December 30 7:46 4:31

December 31 7:46 4:32

January 1 Forgot to check

January 2 7:46 4:33

January 3 7:46 4:34

January 4 7:46 4:35

January 5 7:46 4:36

January 6 7:46 4:38

January 7 7:46 4:39

While I realize these times are ‘rounded off” [probably accounts for the Earth appearing to Stand Still on December 23 and 24, and again on December28 and 29] it still struck me as odd that although the days are indeed getting longer, all of the daylight minutes gained are a result of the sun setting at a later time; we’ve actually lost a few minutes due to a later sunrise. I would have thought (false logic apparently) that the lengthening would take place both in the morning and in the evening. And just why is the sun rising later in the day instead of earlier? I could look ahead and see when this trend changes, but I like surprises, sometimes.