It’s officially the summer solstice which is the longest day of the year and the first day of summer.
On Sunday, June 21, at 4:24 a.m. ET, the summer solstice will occur in the Northern Hemisphere, according to NASA.
Around this time, the Northern Hemisphere will experience its longest days and shortest nights. This year the summer solstice also coincides with Father’s Day in the United States so dads across the country can get a few extra hours of golf, barbequing or whatever summer activity they choose to celebrate the day.
Some areas, like Utqiagvik, Alaska, have already begun to experience months of endless daylight, according to USA TODAY’s previous reporting.
As the Northern Hemisphere experiences its summer solstice, people south of the equator in the Southern Hemisphere will go through their winter solstice.
Here’s what to know about the summer solstice and why it happens.
It happens when our planet’s northernmost tip is tilted toward the sun, according to the Smithsonian Science Education Center. In December, when the winter solstice occurs, it will tilt away from the sun.
The tilt happens because our planet rotates on its axis at a 23.5-degree tilt, the National Weather Service stated on its website.
Several locations around the world are particularly known for celebrating the solstice, including Newgrange in Ireland. Solstices are often associated with pagan religions and draw revelers of different faiths.
Pagans come by the thousands to Stonehenge, the prehistoric monument built between approximately 3100 and 1600 BC in Wiltshire, England. It is one of the most famous landmarks in the United Kingdom, but little is known about the civilization that built it or why, as these ancient peoples left no written records.
It was during the 20th century that Stonehenge became a site of religious significance to people who subscribed to New Age beliefs, including Neopaganism and Neo-Druids, according to USA TODAY’s previous reporting. When constructed, the stone circle was aligned with the sun, and to this day, thousands of people gather to witness the moment the sun peeks perfectly through its pillars.
Julia Gomez is a Trending reporter for USA TODAY and covers space phenomena, scientific studies and natural disasters. Connect with her on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@gannett.com.
Leave a Reply