Summer Solstice 2023: Know why is June 21 longest day of the year, its significance and more
Summer Solstice 2023: Even though heat waves have been a common occurrence in India for several weeks, June 21 will be the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and the official start of the summer season.
The astronomical phenomenon is caused by the Earth's axial tilt, which is at its highest on this day. It is also distinguished by a once-in-a-year occurrence in which the sun reaches its highest position in the sky and daylight lasts the longest.
June 21 is the year's longest day and the shortest night. After this day, the days begin getting shorter, slowly and steadily.
The summer solstice occurs when the sun is directly above the Tropic of Cancer, resulting in the longest daylight. The Cancer Tropic runs through Mexico, northern Africa, the Middle East, India, and China, each of which experiences unique astronomical phenomena.
The increase in daylight hours is most significant at the poles, resulting in the occurrence of the "midnight sun," in which the sun is visible throughout the night.
However, in the Southern Hemisphere, this occurrence coincides with the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year.
Every day, the Earth spins once on its axis, which is an imaginary line connecting the North and South Poles. While its axis remains constant, the planet's axial tilt changes as it moves in its orbit around the Sun. As a result, the North Pole is tilted towards the Sun for six months and the South Pole for the remaining six.
Our planet's axis is tilted by about 23.5 degrees with respect to its orbital plane around the sun. This tilt remains constant throughout the year, resulting in seasonal changes as the Earth orbits the sun.
The Northern Hemisphere tilts towards the sun at the summer solstice, resulting in the longest period of sunshine.
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June 21 is the year's longest day and the shortest night. After this day, the days begin getting shorter, slowly and steadily.
The sun's rays impact the Northern Hemisphere at a more direct angle during the summer solstice, resulting in longer daylight.
Because the Sun is directly above, there is an increase in solar energy during the day, which leads to an increase in the process of photosynthesis, which is also connected with higher agricultural productivity.
People gather at the prehistoric monument, Stonehenge to watch the sunrise because the alignment of the stones at that time offers a lovely sight to see.
Midsommar is the Swedish word for the Summer Solstice. To celebrate and welcome summertime, people gather around maypoles that have been decorated with flowers.
In Iceland, known as the Midnight Sun festival since the country receives 24 hours of daylight throughout the day, many bonfires and exhibitions, among other things, last all night.
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- PTC NEWS
