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Summer Solstice 2023: Why is June 21 the longest day of the year?
The summer solstice is marked to celebrate the beginning of summer or midsummer, when one of Earth's poles is on its maximum tilt towards the sun
By: Lifestyle Desk
New Delhi | Updated: June 21, 2023 11:35 IST
This tilt makes the Earth receive more direct sunlight onto its surface. (Source: Pixabay)
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Summer Solstice 2023: Why is June 21 the longest day of the year?
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Every year, June 21 is marked as the day of the summer solstice in the northern hemisphere of the world, where summer is in the middle of the year, as opposed to the southern hemisphere where summer lies in December.
After half a year of arctic winter, the summer solstice is marked to celebrate the beginning of summer or midsummer, when one of Earth’s poles is on the maximum tilt towards the sun.
June 21 is the longest day of the year with the shortest night. After this day, the days start getting shorter, slowly and steadily.
But why is the summer solstice the longest day of the year? It is because of the pole of the Earth that is tilting to a degree of 23.5 more than its usual tilt. This tilt makes the Earth receive more direct sunlight onto its surface.
On the day of the solstice, the Sun reaches its northernmost position at the Tropic of Cancer, after which it stands still before reversing its direction and moving south again.
This year, it will take place on June 21 at 3:58 pm BST in the UK and 10:58 am ET / 7:58 am PT in the US, and 8:27 PM in India.
Many cultures celebrate it opulently. Here is how 7 countries celebrate the Summer Solstice.
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(Source: Pixabay)
England
People gather at the prehistoric monument, Stonehenge, to see the sunrise as the alignment of the stones at that time creates a beautiful sight to behold.
Sweden
In Sweden, the Summer Solstice is known as Midsommar. People gather around maypoles, which they have decorated with flowers, to celebrate and embrace summertime.
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Iceland
Known as the Midnight Sun festival in Iceland as the country receives 24 hours of daylight during the day, many bonfires and exhibitions among other things last throughout the night.
Russia
Known as White Night in Russia, the festival is celebrated with pomp and splendour. Firework displays are on show, along with musical concerts and a Scarlet Sails event, in which huge ships sail across the Neva River with bright red sails.
Norway
In Norway, the festival is celebrated as Slinningsbålet, where bonfires are lit to honour the birth of John the Baptist. These fires are said to cleanse the air of evil spirits.
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First published on: 20-06-2023 at 20:50 IST
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