Summer is underway and we could not be happier about it. The sun is out and the temperatures are rising, which we’re especially grateful for after this year’s record-breaking cold temperatures. If you're like us, you're wondering, "When does summer start?" The first day of summer is June 21, and we’re even more excited for the summer solstice, which goes down on the very same day.
The summer solstice, also commonly called midsummer, is known as the longest day of the year — and we don’t mean that in a sad or depressing way. In fact, it’s quite the opposite, as it’s the day with the most daylight, which means more time spent outside enjoying the awesomeness that is summer.
So far, 2019 has been cold, to say the least. In January and February, North America experienced a massive cold wave, bringing some of the coldest temperatures in almost 20 years. The cold continued into March, leaving us all ready to speed through spring and head straight to summer. Well, we’ve finally arrived, and for that reason we think this summer solstice is to be celebrated.
But what exactly is the summer solstice, when does it occur, and what in the world does it have to do with Stonehenge? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with answers to all these questions and more — just keep reading for our breakdown of the longest, most-welcomed day of the year.
What Is The Summer Solstice?
In the Northern Hemisphere, the summer solstice is known as the longest day of the year. The solstice occurs when then sun is at 23.5 degrees north latitude, also known as the Tropic of Cancer.
During this time, Earth's north pole is at a maximum tilt toward the sun. Solstices happen twice a year, once for each hemisphere. So for the summer solstice, at the north pole there will be constant daylight, with daylight hours trickling off the closer you descend south toward the equator.
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