The winter solstice, occurring on Dec. 21 in 2023, is the shortest day of the year. However, the earliest sunsets of the year occurred around Dec. 7. Meteorologist Joe Martucci explains why this phenomenon is. Plus, take a look at the actual difference in sunset times between Dec. 7 and the solstice two weeks later.
See some of your best sunset photos
Elk Basin Sunset
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Taken on 8.2.16 in elk basin outside of Powell, Wy. (photo: @Krissy)
Sunset on the beach
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In Anna Maria, Fla. (photo: @AustinD)
Sun Gold Point
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This was the first sunset from my trip to San Diego. This is Sun Gold Point in La Jolla, Calif. (photo: @831MoSauce)
Dock at Sunset
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Harris Lake, Ontario, Canada (photo: @JoSko)
Pier 60 sunset
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Clearwater Beach, Fla. (photo: @4236025)
Santa Barbara
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California Sunset (photo: @CBPhoto)
Arizona Horse Ride at Sunset
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I went for a sunset horse ride so it would be cooler and this is the neat photo I was able to take. It shows the shadows of me and the other riders. (photo: @wildhorses)
A walk at sunset
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Taken in Hoonah, AK at Icy Strait Point in July 2016 (photo: @DTimm)
Lake Michigan and Chicago
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Taken from Indiana Sand Dunes State Park, Aug 2011-Beautiful sunset and huge wave action on the lake. (photo: @esmith2)
Grand Tetons at Sunset
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A mountain landscape during sunset at Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. (photo: @Trav)
Isla Mujeres Resort
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The illuminated bar and pier of a resort on Isla Mujeres, Mexico, stretching out toward the sunset. (photo: @JMBphoto)
Sunset at the Continental Divide
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This photograph was taken near Golden, Colorado at 7,000 feet elevation. The mountains viewed are the Rocky Mountains, which is also the location of the continental divide in North America. (photo: @JBuehler)
Parliament at Sunset
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Budapest Parliament Building (photo: @bobjwalsh)
1 Jamaica Sunset
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hot from the balcony on our honeymoon in Jamaica (photo: @TJackson)
Northern Argentina
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Purmamarca Area, Northern Argentina, Hill of the Seven Colors at sunset. (photo: @AnnLan)
Cardiff-by-the-Sea
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Cardiff-by-the-Sea in CA at sunset (photo: @Francesca)
Standing Ovation
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People gather as the day closes at Sunset Beach Park in Fish Creek Wisconsin. When the sun hits the horizon on this warm summer eve, applause breaks out. (photo: @LisaDC)
Platte River Sunset
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This sunset was captured on top of the lookout tower over looking the Platte River at Mahoney State Park in Nebraska. (photo: @duglas50)
Rooney Sunset 2016
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Sunset photo taken on Rooney Lake in northern Wisconsin, summer 2016. (photo: @kasteuss)
In thin air
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Taken on Mt. Tamalpais during a beautiful sunset while visiting friends in the bay area. (photo: @45cience)
Fog Rolling In
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Sunset picture over the Northern California coast as the fog begins to roll in. Aerial image taken at Patrick's Point State Park in Trinidad CA. (photo: @RLindbeck)
Vail sunset
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Sun setting from the top of Vail Mountain (photo: @DEGphoto)
Beautiful sunset
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Beautiful sunset overlooking Table Rock lake in Missouri south of Branson in the fall. (@BevandDave)