This browser does not support the Video element. Show
The June summer solstice marks the official beginning of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. While the temperatures may already feel like summer, the official start of the season began on Tuesday in the Northern Hemisphere — an event known as the summer solstice. During the June solstice, the sun travels along its northernmost path in the sky for the northern half of the globe, which results in the longest day and shortest night of the calendar year. Here is everything to know about the summer solstice 2022: Summer solstice significanceThe June solstice marks the official beginning of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. As the Farmer’s Almanac explains, it occurs when Earth arrives at the point in its orbit where the North Pole is at its maximum tilt — about 23.5 degrees — toward the sun. This results in the longest "day," meaning the longest period of sunlight hours. The word "solstice" comes from the Latin word "solstitium" — and from "sol" (Sun) and "stitium" (still or stopped), according to the periodical. The sun doesn’t rise and set at the same locations on the horizon each day due to Earth’s tilted axis. Its rise and set positions move northward or southward in the sky as our planet travels around the sun throughout the year. "The June solstice is significant because the Sun reaches its northernmost point in the sky at this time, at which point the Sun’s path does not change for a brief period of time," the Farmer’s Almanac explains. What time is the summer solstice 2022?The June solstice occurred on Tuesday, June 21, 2022, at 5:14 a.m. EDT, according to the Farmer’s Almanac. In the Southern Hemisphere, the June solstice marks the beginning of winter. The June solstice doesn’t always occur on the same day — currently shifting between June 20, 21, and 22. Its timing is based on when the sun reaches its northernmost point from the celestial equator. Is the summer solstice the first day of summer?Technically, there are two starts to summer: meteorological and astronomical. Most meteorologists divide the year into four seasons based on the months and the temperature cycle, with summer beginning on June 1 and ending on August 31, the Farmer’s Almanac explains. But astronomically, the first day of summer is considered to be when the sun reaches its highest point in the sky during the summer solstice (June 20–22). Stonehenge and the summer solsticeSome historians point to Stonehenge, an ancient monument in Wiltshire, England, as evidence that humans once used the June solstice as a way to organize their calendars and start counting the days of the year. According to English Heritage, a charity organization that cares for over 400 historic buildings, monuments and sites, the sun rises at Stonehenge on the solstice behind the Heel Stone in the northeast part of the horizon and its first rays shine into the heart of Stonehenge. "The sarsen stones, put up in at the center of the site in about 2500 BC, were carefully aligned to line up with the movements of the sun," English Heritage explained. "The whole layout of Stonehenge is therefore positioned in relation to the solstices, or the extreme limits of the sun’s movement." How to celebrate the summer solstice, past ritualsIn ancient times, the date of the June solstice was used to organize calendars and as a marker to figure out when to plant and harvest crops. Traditionally, this time of year was also popular for weddings, according to Time and Date. In ancient Gaul, which encompasses modern-day France, the Feast of Epona was celebrated with bonfires to mark the solstice or midsummer (June 24 in 2022). In ancient China, the summer solstice was observed to celebrate the Earth, femininity, and the "yin" forces. The day also signifies a turning point during the year, when the days start getting shorter once again. The shift is associated with change, nature, and new beginnings, which is why many festivals and celebrations still occur on the day. In Ottawa, Canada’s Ontario province, the Ottawa Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival occurs. The event focuses on summer solstice traditions from the First Nations people, according to Space Tourism Guide. Meanwhile, in northern European countries like Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland, Midsummer is a festive and major celebration to mark the summer months. "In the Baltic states, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, Midsummer is an occasion to travel to the countryside and connect with nature. Many people light bonfires and stay up all night drinking, singing, and dancing," Time and Date wrote. While thousands of people gather at Stonehenge for the occasion, parts of the U.S. also take part in the celebration with events focused on the theme of the summer solstice. In New York City, you can do yoga for free in Times Square in celebration. Watch the summer solstice sunrise and sunsetSunset and sunrise is live-streamed for free on English Heritage’s social media channels. You can watch both on its Facebook page here. This story was reported from Cincinnati. Stephanie Weaver contributed from Los Angeles.
The sun has begun setting later and later, the smell of barbecue's already filling the backyard, and Paige's graduation has come and gone. It's official: Summer is on the way! But when exactly will it officially be here? And what do the words "summer solstice" have to do with it all? Sure, we know Memorial Day Weekend is the unofficial kick-off to the sunniest season, but we're looking for a more concrete date—something we can go ahead and circle on our calendars. Good news: There really is such a date. And while it does change from year to year, it's still a good idea to try and keep track of what this year's date is. Ahead, we're sharing the answer to the age-old question of "When does summer start?" in the hopes that it makes your countdown to summer that much easier. After all, there are few things better than diving into a crystal-clear pool with friends all around... and the solstice is an excellent excuse to host a party involving exactly that scenario. Cheers to summertime! This content is imported from {embed-name}. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. Getty Images Hope you've got your pencils ready and your calendars out: The first day of summer in North America is Tuesday, June 21. It also happens to be the longest day of the year! In the Northern Hemisphere, the June solstice (aka summer solstice) occurs when the Sun travels along its northernmost path in the sky. This marks the astronomical start of summer in the northern half of the globe. (In the Southern Hemisphere, it's the opposite: the June solstice marks the astronomical start of winter.) When is the summer solstice?The summer solstice is actually the same thing as the "first day of summer," so you can expect it, too, to take place on Tuesday, June 21. Specifically, it'll occur at 5:14 a.m. EST. But if you're still confused about what the solstice really is, here's your answer: In the Northern Hemisphere, the June or summer solstice refers to the astronomical start of summer when the Earth and Sun are in relation such that the North Pole is tilted toward the sun at its most extreme angle. The result? A very long day—the longest of the whole year, in fact!—and a super short night. Of course, things are a little different in the Southern Hemisphere, where this same June solstice marks the beginning of the winter season. No matter where you're reading this from, we hope the next three months until when summer ends and the first day of fall are just as wonderful as you're hoping they'll be. Stay warm—or cool!—and enjoy some barbecue either way. 😉 This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io |