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earliest sunsets of the year for the Northern Hemisphere to happen in early December, for example - not on tomorrow's December solstice - despite the fact that the solstice brings our shortest day.
• Likewise, the latest sunrises don't happen on the December solstice. They happen in early January.
• Days are always longer than 24 hours around the solstices (and less than 24 hours around the the equinoxes). However, we're much closer to the sun on the December solstice than the June solstice, so the Earth at present moves a little faster than average in its orbit - which means we travel a little farther than average each day. As a result, Earth has to turn maximally on its axis each day for the sun to return to its noontime position.
• So while winter is the shortest season in the Northern Hemisphere, 'tis the season of bountifully long days.
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