Summer Solstice
Summer Solstice is the longest day (and shortest night) of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. It is observed on June 21.
What does it mean?
- The solstice occurs when the sun is directly over the Tropic of Cancer or 23.5 N latitude.
- Since earth s axis is tilted at an angle of 23.5 deg, varying amounts of sunlight reach different regions during its year-long orbit around the Sun.
- On June 21st the North Pole is tipped more towards the Sun than on any other day of the year.
- But this does not mean more heat or that the Earth is any closer to the Sun, per common misconceptions.
- Solstices happen twice each year Summer solstice for the Northern Hemisphere and Winter solstice for the Southern Hemisphere when the sun is directly over the Tropic of Capricorn or 23.5 S latitude.
Quick Facts
- Spring Equinox: Wednesday, March 20
- Summer Solstice: Friday, June 21
- Autumn Equinox: Monday, September 23
- Winter Solstice: Sunday, December 22
Equinox is the day when the Sun shines directly on the Equator and the length of day and night are nearly equal in either hemisphere.