Know the Summer solstice the longest day of the year.
What is the solstice?
Solstices occur due to the Earth's axial tilt of approximately 23.4 degrees in relation to its orbit around the sun. This tilt is responsible for driving the seasonal variations experienced in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, as they receive unequal amounts of sunlight throughout the year. Between March and September, the Northern Hemisphere is tilted closer to the sun, resulting in spring and summer seasons. Conversely, from September to March, the Northern Hemisphere is tilted away, leading to autumn and winter.
This year, the Northern Hemisphere's summer solstice falls on June 21, around 02:30 pm IST. It is also the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
Solstices can also be understood in terms of the sun's apparent position on Earth. During the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, the sun appears directly over the Tropic of Cancer, which is located at a latitude of 23.5 degrees North. This is the northernmost point where the sun can be seen directly overhead. In contrast, during the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, the sun appears directly over the Tropic of Capricorn, which is the southern counterpart and mirror image of the Tropic of Cancer.
Traditionally, the summer and winter solstices, along with the spring and autumnal equinoxes, served as significant markers for the changing of seasons. However, in modern times, meteorologists rely on official temperature records to delineate the boundaries between seasons. These temperature-based indicators have become the accepted method for defining and identifying the different seasons.
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