Summer Solstice 2024: Longest Day of the Year Explained – News18
In India, summer solstice will be celebrated on June 21. (Image: Shutterstock)
On this date, the sun’s rays hit the northern hemisphere more directly than at any other time of the year. Due to this maximum tilt towards the sun, the sun is at its highest point in the sky. This leads to the day being the longest.
The Summer Solstice is an astronomical event where the world witnesses the longest day and shortest night of the year in the northern hemisphere. In India, the summer solstice takes place somewhere between June 20 and June 22. The summer solstice marks the beginning of the summer season in many parts of the world.
The term summer solstice refers to the midsummer or estival solstice and derives its name from the Latin words “sol,” meaning the sun, and “sistere,” meaning to stand still. This also suggests that the sun pauses during its seasonal journey after reaching its highest point in the sky. All around the world, different traditions celebrate the summer solstice differently.
In India, summer solstice will be celebrated on June 21.
When does the summer solstice occur?
Summer solstices occur when the earth is tilted on its axis by about 23.5 degrees. This change in degree is responsible for changing the seasons as the Earth orbits around the sun. During the year, different parts of the world receive different lengths of sunlight.
As the Earth travels around the Sun in a slightly elliptical orbit, the tilt of its axis remains pointed in the same direction. This means that at different times of the year, either the Northern Hemisphere or the Southern Hemisphere is tilted more towards the Sun.
The Summer Solstice is an astronomical phenomenon that happens when the Northern Hemisphere is tilted closest to the Sun. This happens around June 21st each year.
On this date, the sun’s rays hit the northern hemisphere more directly than at any other time of the year. Due to this maximum tilt towards the sun, the sun is at its highest point in the sky. This phenomenon leads to the day being the longest.
On the other hand, a similar situation happens during the winters when the Southern Hemisphere experiences its winter solstice, being tilted furthest away from the sun.
The summer solstice holds a lot of significance in different traditions globally. For instance, during ancient times, people built Stonehenge in England, aligned with the solstices to mark the changing seasons.
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