Summer Solstice Marks Longest Day of the Year in Northern Hemisphere

The summer solstice occurs on June 21, 2026, marking the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and the beginning of astronomical summer. This event contrasts with the Southern Hemisphere, where it is the shortest day of the year and the start of winter. The term 'solstice' derives from Latin, meaning 'sun' and 'stop,' indicating the sun's highest position in the sky. After the solstice, days will gradually shorten until the winter solstice, which occurs between December 20 and 23. The solstices are significant in various cultures, often celebrated with festivals and monuments, such as Sweden's midsummer celebrations and the alignment of Stonehenge with the sun's path. The Earth’s tilt causes varying sunlight distribution, leading to unequal day and night lengths during solstices. The equinoxes, occurring in March and September, represent times when day and night are approximately equal. Meteorological seasons differ from astronomical seasons, as they are based on temperature cycles rather than the Earth's orbit around the sun.