Latest news with #astronomicalSummer
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Summer solstice 2025 is here! Today marks the longest day of the year for the Northern Hemisphere
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Sunlovers rejoice, for the summer solstice is upon us, bringing the longest day of 2025 while heralding the beginning of astronomical summer in the northern hemisphere. The summer solstice occurs because of a 23.5 degree tilt in Earth's rotational axis that may have arisen when an ancient Mars-sized body slammed into our planet billions of years ago, triggering the formation of our moon. The angle of this tilt is — to all intents and purposes — consistent all year round, and is currently fixed with the north celestial pole pointing close to Polaris, the current north star. Thanks to this tilt, we experience the changing seasons, equinoxes and solstices — events that have been celebrated by cultures around the world for thousands of years. Some of humanity's most iconic ancient monuments like Stonehenge and the Mayan Chichén Itzá Pyramid were purpose built to align with these seasonal markers. In the northern hemisphere the summer solstice occurs when the sun reaches its northernmost point relative to Earth's celestial equator (which is simply our planet's regular equator projected out into space). Conversely, the winter solstice takes place when the sun is in its southernmost position relative to the celestial equator. The 2025 summer solstice arrives at 10:42 p.m. EDT on June 20 (0242 GMT June 21). On this day, skywatchers across the northern hemisphere will enjoy the longest stretch of daylight all year. In New York, for example, the sun will spend more than 15 hours beating a path through the sky. At the same time, those in the southern hemisphere will mark the winter solstice, which heralds the shortest day of 2025 below the equator. You can calculate exactly how much daylight you will experience in the days around the summer and winter solstices online using daylight tracker. Naturally this amount of sunlight makes it a challenging time of year for amateur astronomers, but that doesn't mean that the summer months aren't bursting with deep space targets and beautiful asterisms. Be sure to check out our daily guide to June's night sky to discover which targets to prioritize during those short summer nights. Editor's Note: If you find a creative way to capture the Summer Solstice and want to share it with readers, then please send your photo(s), comments, and your name and location to spacephotos@
Fast Company
17 hours ago
- Science
- Fast Company
Summer Solstice 2025: Meaning, how to celebrate, and what to know about the start of the astronomical season
Life is composed of seasons, and today marks the beginning of the hottest one of all for those in the Northern Hemisphere. According to the Farmer's Almanac, the summer solstice takes place today (Friday, June 20) at 10:42 p.m. EDT. Weather permitting, the first official day of astronomical summer sees the most daylight of the year. Let's dive into what all that means and how you can celebrate. What is the science behind the summer solstice? The Earth rotates on its axis every day, creating night and day. According to NASA, its axis is tilted 23.4 degrees. This tilt, as the Earth orbits the sun, creates the seasons. For half of the year, the Northern Hemisphere is pointed at the sun producing summer. The other half, it points away, producing winter. This also means the sun rises and sets at different points in the sky during the orbital process. The summer solstice occurs when the sun is at the highest point in the sky and appears to metaphorically pause there for a time. While scientists can give an exact time for this occurrence, most people celebrate the whole day. Different perspectives on the beginning of summer There are different schools of thought on the starting date for summer. If you ask a meteorologist, she will tell you June 1. This is because meteorologists focus on temperatures, and organizing the months into seasons helps them compare data. The summer solstice focuses on astronomical summer. This begins June 20-22 each year when the sun reaches the northernmost point in the sky. Why is there more daylight on the summer solstice? Most people say the summer solstice is the longest day of the year, but there are 24 hours in a day, regardless of the time of year. The 'longest day' moniker actually refers to the number of daylight hours. Because the sun is at its highest point, it takes longer to rise and set, granting more light. What does Stonehenge have to do with the summer solstice? While many unanswered questions remain about Stonehenge—the famous large circular stone monument located on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, England—one fact is certain. Its creation was meant to line up with the sun during solstices. In the summer, it is breathtaking to see the sun rising behind the Heel Stone, causing its rays to pour into the center of the structure. How can I celebrate the summer solstice? No matter where you are located, you can celebrate the day and watch the festivities at Stonehenge. English Heritage, the organization manages the popular tourist attraction will live-stream the summer solstice festivities, beginning on June 20 at 20:00 BST. The stream will start the following day at 04:00 GMT and sunrise takes place at 04:52 GMT.
The Independent
a day ago
- Science
- The Independent
Sunshine abounds as the summer solstice arrives
Peak sunshine has arrived in the Northern Hemisphere — the summer solstice. Friday is the longest day of the year north of the equator, where the solstice marks the start of astronomical summer. It's the opposite in the Southern Hemisphere, where it is the shortest day of the year and winter will start. The word 'solstice' comes from the Latin words 'sol' for sun and 'stitium' which can mean 'pause' or 'stop.' The solstice is the end of the sun's annual march higher in the sky, when it makes its longest, highest arc. The bad news for sun lovers: It then starts retreating and days will get a little shorter every day until late December. People have marked solstices for eons with celebrations and monuments, including Stonehenge, which was designed to align with the sun's paths at the solstices. But what is happening in the heavens? Here's what to know about the Earth's orbit. As the Earth travels around the sun, it does so at an angle relative to the sun. For most of the year, the Earth's axis is tilted either toward or away from the sun. That means the sun's warmth and light fall unequally on the northern and southern halves of the planet. The solstices mark the times during the year when this tilt is at its most extreme, and days and nights are at their most unequal. During the Northern Hemisphere's summer solstice, the upper half of the earth is tilted toward the sun, creating the longest day and shortest night of the year. This solstice falls between June 20 and 22. Meanwhile, at the winter solstice, the Northern Hemisphere is leaning away from the sun — leading to the shortest day and longest night of the year. The winter solstice falls between December 20 and 23. The equinox is when there is an equal amount of day and night During the equinox, the Earth's axis and its orbit line up so that both hemispheres get an equal amount of sunlight. The word equinox comes from two Latin words meaning equal and night. That's because on the equinox, day and night last almost the same amount of time — though one may get a few extra minutes, depending on where you are on the planet. The Northern Hemisphere's spring — or vernal — equinox can land between March 19 and 21, depending on the year. Its fall – or autumnal — equinox can land between Sept. 21 and 24. On the equator, the sun will be directly overhead at noon. Equinoxes are the only time when both the north and south poles are lit by sunshine at the same time. What's the difference between meteorological and astronomical seasons? These are just two different ways to carve up the year. While astronomical seasons depend on how the Earth moves around the sun, meteorological seasons are defined by the weather. They break down the year into three-month seasons based on annual temperature cycles. By that calendar, spring starts on March 1, summer on June 1, fall on Sept. 1 and winter on Dec. 1. ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
