This graphic shows the Earth's postition on its orbit around the sun on October 1st with colors that indicate the southern hemisphere's seasons. Meanwhile they have arrived at spring which causes far reaching reactions in nature. The days are longer than the nights (Sydney, Kape Town, Buenos Aires: 12h25 to 13h25 / Punta Arenas: 12h45 to 14h50) and at the same time the sunlight angle increases another 11° this month - which also shifts the direction in which the sun rises / sets considerably (depending on the latitude). As our planet is closer to the sun now it flies faster (according to Kepler's law): shorter way and higher velocity means less time for this "half" of the orbit: their summer half year is about 1 week shorter than their winter half year.
