Have you ever had one of those days when it just seems to go on forever? Well the chances are that it may well have been the summer solstice (or near to it anyway).
Occurring between 20 June and 22 June every year, the event in the northern hemisphere marks the point when the sun reaches its highest positon in the sky.
As a result, we get to enjoy the most daylight hours in the year – except in polar regions where daylight is continuous – especially if the weather holds up!
In 2015, the solstice is on June 21, yet it occurs on June 20 in 2016. There’s a long time to wait for it to occur on June 22 as well – the next time it happens on that date will be in 2203!
The solstice occurring on this day is a rarity – it last happened in 1971 and it’s all because of the use of the Gregorian calendar.
While 365 days denotes a normal year and 366 a leap year, the actual time needed is around 365.242199 days (yes someone has worked that out) and even then the daily rotational motion of the Earth on its axis will also have an impact on the solstice dates!
If you didn’t know, the word solstice derives from Latin words. Sol, meaning sun, and sister, meaning to stand still.
The point on the horizon where the sun appears to rise and set will stop and reverse direction from the day of the solstice.
During the solstice the sun does not rise precisely in the east, but instead is north of east. It then sets to the north of west, keeping it visible in the sky for longer.
In June, the Earth’s North Pole tilts directly towards the sun at about 23.5 degrees. This northern solstice occurs when the sun is directly over the Tropic of Cancer in the Northern Hemisphere.
Now there’s something to remember for the next pub quiz!
The event is recognised around the world through rituals, festivals and even holidays, relating to religion, fertility and new life in most cases.
Stonehenge in the south of the UK is a popular destination to visit during the solstice, as people flock to see the sunlight shining between the ancient stones.
The megalithic structure marks the exact moment of the solstice and is considered to be the world’s oldest monument that highlights the importance of the Summer Solstice to past cultures.
At Iceland’s Blue Lagoon meanwhile, a summer solstice midnight party is held to mark the occasion.
Over in Alesund in Norway, the world’s biggest bonfire is lit, with wood pallets stacked more than 40 metres high.
It’s probably best not to stand too close!
Meanwhile in Seattle people get naked and cover themselves in paint! The Solstice Cyclists event is an artistic and non-political bike ride where clothing is optional! It marks the unofficial start if the Summer Solstice Parade and Pageant in the city.
The parade usually takes place on the nearest Saturday to the Solstice and is believed to trace its origins from when streakers crashed the event many years ago!
Celebrations take place among cultures from all over the world, with different traditions existing in nearly every location!