Have you ever noticed that some days feel longer than others? That’s not just your imagination—it’s a real event called the summer solstice, and it happens once a year when we get the most daylight.

Why It Happens

The Earth doesn’t stand straight up as it orbits the Sun. It’s tilted at an angle of about 23.5 degrees. Because of this tilt, different parts of the Earth get more sunlight at different times of the year. This is what causes the seasons.

When the North Pole is tilted closest to the Sun, the Northern Hemisphere experiences the summer solstice. This usually happens around June 20 or 21.

What Makes It Special

On the summer solstice, the Sun appears at its highest point in the sky at noon. It’s the longest day of the year in terms of daylight. After this day, the amount of daylight slowly starts to decrease, even though summer is just beginning.

In the Southern Hemisphere, the opposite happens. When it’s the summer solstice in the north, it’s the winter solstice in the south, and they get their longest night of the year.

What “Solstice” Means

The word “solstice” comes from Latin. “Sol” means Sun, and “sistere” means to stand still. Around the solstice, the Sun’s path in the sky doesn’t seem to change much from day to day. That’s why ancient people thought the Sun was standing still.

How People Celebrate

Many cultures have celebrated the summer solstice for thousands of years. In places like Stonehenge in England, people gather to watch the sunrise. Others hold festivals, light bonfires, or simply enjoy the extra daylight with outdoor activities.

A Natural Reminder

The summer solstice is a reminder of how Earth moves through space and how that movement affects our daily lives. It’s a great time to go outside, enjoy the sunlight, and think about the science behind the seasons.

Written By Quill Pennington