SUMMER SOLSTICE (Syllabus: GS Paper 1 – Geography)

Context: Recently, the summer solstice marked the onset of astronomical summer in the Northern Hemisphere, coinciding with the day boasting the most daylight of the year.

Summer Solstice

• About: The summer solstice marks the point when the sun is positioned farthest north, 23.5 degrees from the celestial equator.
• Etymology: The term "solstice" originates from the Latin words "sol" for sun and "sistere" for "to stand still," indicating the sun's apparent pause in its journey.
• There are two solstices every year: one in June and one in December.
• Occurrence: During the 21st century, the summer solstice falls on either June 20th or 21st, varying slightly due to astronomical factors.
• Daylight Duration: In the Northern Hemisphere, daylight length on the summer solstice varies by latitude. 

oNear the equator, it's approximately 12 hours, while at mid-northern latitudes, like 40 degrees north, it extends to about 15 hours. Beyond the Arctic Circle (66.5 degrees north), daylight persists for a full 24 hours.

• Longest Day in the North: The North Pole's tilt toward the Sun is greatest at the solstice, so this event marks the longest day of the year north of the equator.
• Shortest Day in the South: The day of the June solstice is the shortest day of the year in the Southern Hemisphere.
• Meaning of Solstice: The word solstice is derived from the Latin word solstitium which translates to "sun stands still."