The summer solstice is an astronomical event in which the Earth’s axis tilts most towards the sun, resulting in the longest day and shortest night of the year. This event signals the start of astronomical summer in the Northern Hemisphere. The word ‘solstice’ is derived from the Latin words for sun (sol) and stand (sistere). It’s the time of year when the rising or setting sun appears to stop still as it moves over the horizon.
‘Project Paridhi’ is a scientific experimental project by SPACE INDIA to popularize hands-on science. It is a platform that proves science can be best learned by an experiment. It is open to all age groups, the public and is typically conducted on days of Equinox. This is a hands-on science activity that involves measuring the length of shadows cast by a vertical object (gnomon) by the sunlight to determine the local noon.
Simple trigonometry leads to the calculation of the circumference using the measured sun angle. This activity replicates the same activity which was done by Eratosthenes long ago. Participants learn basic concepts of science in a fun way with hands-on science and use geometry and trigonometry. Some are trained as Earth Scientists and they can conduct the training for the others, which hones a leadership skill.
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The summer solstice occurs on the longest day of the year, usually between June 20 and June 21, though the sun’s position remains quite stable for a few days either side. For Neolithic people, sunlight would have been vital – for warmth for them and their animals, as well as to help their crops grow. During the summer solstice, the earth’s axis tilts at its closest point to the sun. This implies that the sun has reached its highest point in the northern hemisphere sky. It’s also the year’s longest day and shortest night.
It would have been quite simple for prehistoric people to notice the rising and setting positions of the sun each day, and to mark these orientations from any given spot. Our Earth rotates on its axis once each day, producing the cycle of day and night. At the same time, the Earth moves around the Sun on its orbit over the course of a year. This tilt means that during one half of the year the North side of the Earth is tilted slightly towards the Sun and the South is tilted away.
For the other half of the year the reverse is true. At the exact moment that the Northern Hemisphere is most tilted towards the Sun, the Northern Hemisphere experiences its summer solstice. The Southern Hemisphere, by contrast, has its winter solstice. About six months later, the Northern Hemisphere has its winter solstice while the Southern Hemisphere is at its summer solstice.
In the Northern Hemisphere, the length of daylight varies depending on the latitude. At the equator, the time from sunrise to sunset is about 12 hours. At temperate or mid-northern latitudes (approximately 40 degrees north) the length of daylight lasts about 15 hours. And for those who are north of the Arctic Circle (66.5 degrees north) the sun remains above the horizon for 24 hours.
While the sun always rises in the east and sets in the west, its position in the sky varies according to the season. Around the solstices, the sun appears to be at its highest and lowest point in the sky. These correlate to midsummer and midwinter, the turning points in the sun’s path.
When the sun reaches its peak at the summer solstice, it begins its descent into the horizon, culminating in its lowest point at the winter solstice. The sun appears to move very little in the weeks preceding these solstices turning periods, gaining the term “sun standstill.”
When is it happening this year?
Summer Solstice, Northern Hemisphere (June)
North America, Europe, most of Asia, Northern Africa
In Delhi, India: Friday, 21 June 2024, 02:20 IST. This corresponds to Thursday, 20 June 2024, 20:50 UTC.
How to enjoy this mesmerizing event?
Here are some of the suggestions to make this solstice meaningful:
- Watch the Sunrise and Sunset
Find a Good Location: Choose a place with a clear view of the horizon, such as a beach, hill, or open field.
Timing: Check the local times for sunrise and sunset on the solstice.
- Visit Historical Sites
Local Historical Sites: Many historical sites around the world have special alignments or significance related to the solstice like
- Jantar Mantar, Jaipur: It contains several instruments for tracking celestial bodies, including the sun. The site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Konark Sun Temple, Odisha: The temple is aligned to the east, allowing the first rays of the sun to strike its main entrance.
- Sun Temple, Modheraco, Gujarat: The temple is designed so that the sun’s rays illuminate the sanctum at the time of the equinoxes and solstices.
- Educational Activities
Astronomy Learning: Learn more about the astronomical aspects of the solstice. Use a telescope to observe the sun (with proper solar filters) or study the path of the sun across the sky.
Workshops and Talks: Attend workshops or talks about the solstice and its significance in different cultures and history.
Celebrating the summer solstice, whether through old customs or personal reflection, helps us to embrace summer’s warmth, light, and vigour, instilling a sense of rejuvenation and wonder that lasts long after the sun goes down.
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