Summer Solstice 2023: Exploring the Magic of the Summer Solstice

Summer is almost here, and it will officially begin with the June summer solstice, which falls on              Wednesday.

• The Summer Solstice 2023 occurred at 9:58 a.m. CT on Wednesday, June 21. On this day, the city will enjoy Apporx. 15 hours, 13 minutes, and 41 seconds of daylight, with sunset happening just before 8:30 p.m.

Facts about Summer Solstice 2023:

1. Date: The summer solstice occurs annually between June 20 and June 22 in the Northern Hemisphere.
2. Longest Day: It is known as the longest day of the year because it has the most daylight hours compared to any other day.
3. Sun’s Highest Point: During the summer solstice, the sun reaches its highest point in the sky at noon. Shadows are shorter, and the midday sun appears directly overhead in some regions.
4. Tilt of the Earth: The summer solstice happens due to the tilt of the Earth’s axis. It is tilted towards the sun at its maximum angle, resulting in the sun appearing higher in the sky and providing more daylight.
5. Significant Cultural Celebrations: Many cultures and civilizations around the world have celebrated the summer solstice for centuries. It holds cultural and religious significance

     Highlights:

1. Astronomically, it is considered the first day of summer, while meteorological summer technically began at the beginning of the month.
2. It signifies the day with the longest period of daylight for those residing in the Northern Hemisphere. Although the specific date varies each year, the solstice generally falls between June 20 and 22.
3. In contrast, the winter solstice, which occurs on December 21, marks the beginning of winter.
4. According to NASA, the sun is reaching the peak of an 11-year solar cycle, which can lead to various impacts on Earth, such as changes in the Northern Lights and potential effects on radio communications.

Reason to be called Summer Solstice:

The word “solstice” originates from the Latin word “solstitium” which means “sun” and “still or stopped.”It signifies the moment when the sun’s arc appears to stop in the sky.

 

                 You may also like:https://citynews2.com/index.php/2023/06/25/angels-star-mike-trout/

• While the solstice brings the most daylight, it does not coincide with the earliest sunrise or the latest sunset. The earliest sunrise usually occurs earlier in June.
  The latest sunset is still yet to come, as the sun sets more slowly around the time of the solstice
• The summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere marks the beginning of a busy period of solar events, including eclipses and other phenomena.
• Two solar eclipses will take place within the next 12 months, with partial visibility from the Midwest.
• The first eclipse will occur on October 14, 2023, and the second, a total solar eclipse, will take place on April 8 of the following year, visible across a wide area of the Midwest.

        Know More: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summer_solstice

 

    FAQ: 1) What happens on summer solstice day?

        Ans.-Earth is tilted towards the Sun in such a way that the hemisphere gets the maximum                     amount of sunlight.

             2) Who celebrates summer solstice?

         Ans.- Sweden, celebrates as ‘mid-summer’

            3) Which is the longest day of the year?

        Ans.- 21 June. The day of the summer solstice.