In the Southern Hemisphere, which statement about the longest day and longest night is correct?

• A. The longest day is June 21st, and the longest night is December 21st.
• B. The longest night is June 21st, and the longest day is December 21st.
• C. The longest day and longest night occur on the same date.
• D. The longest day is December 21st, and the longest night is June 21st.

Answer: (B)

In the Southern Hemisphere, seasons are opposite to those in the Northern Hemisphere because the Earth's axis is tilted about 23.5 degrees. A solstice marks the extremes of daylight: the summer solstice brings the longest day, and the winter solstice brings the longest night. Since summer occurs in December in this hemisphere, the longest day falls around December 21. Winter occurs in June, so the longest night falls around June 21. Therefore, the statement that the longest night is around June 21 and the longest day is around December 21 is correct.