The Northern hemisphere will experience its longest day of the year on June 21, known as the summer solstice, the first day of summer or midsummer.
What is Summer Solstice?
Summer solstice refers to the longest day and the shortest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
When is Summer Solstice 2021?
Summer Solstice 2021 will occur today on June 21, 2021. It occurs when one of the Earth’s poles has its maximum tilt toward the Sun. This phenomenon occurs twice a year, once in the Northern Hemisphere and once in the Southern Hemisphere.
Why is it called Solstice?
The word “solstice” is originated from the Latin word “sol” which means Sun and “sistere” meaning stationary or standstill. Thus, the Summer Solstice marks the beginning of summer that lasts until the autumnal equinox.
While the northern hemisphere gets more light and heat from the Sun due to the Earth’s axis’ maximum inclination towards the Sun on June 21, the southern hemisphere has the opposite experience.
The summer solstice is the only day of the year when all the regions in the Arctic Circle experience a continuous period of daylight for 24 hours.
This longest day of the year is considered an important day in many cultures and celebrated with great enthusiasm.
One of the world’s oldest evidence of the summer solstice’s importance in culture is Stonehenge in England, a megalithic structure that marks the June solstice’s moment. And one can witness the world’s biggest solstice event at the ancient site of Stonehenge in Wiltshire.
In June’s Solstice, it is summertime in the UK, the USA, Canada, Russia, India, and China and it is the longest day of the year, while it is winter in Australia, Argentina, Chile, New Zealand and South Africa and it is the year’s shortest.
