Summer is here and that means it's time to have unlimited fun under the sun. On Saturday, June 21, at exactly 6:15 a.m. EDT, the Summer Solstice will take place.
The Summer Solstice is officially the longest day of the year, but it also marks the start of the summer. This is the time when "the sun reaches its northernmost point in the sky" according to IBT. The word "solstice" is Latin and comes from "sol" and "sistere," which means "sun stands still." The terms refers to the sun's position during the solstice, "the sun appears to pause before its position in the sky reverses direction."
Not only are the beach bums and sun lovers celebrating the beginning of summer, even people in the Northern Hemisphere celebrate it too. The Swedes dance around maypoles wearing wreaths. People go to the Stonehenge and wait for the sunrise. The Stonehenge has become a 4,000-year old sun monument. Also, there are Americans hosting barbecue cookouts and pool parties to celebrate.
But what exactly is the Summer Solstice anyway? When the Earth tilts at 23.5 degrees on its axis while orbiting the sun, that's the Summer Solstice. In much simpler terms, it happens when the Earth's northern hemisphere faces the sun.
Now this doesn't mean that the longest day of the summer will also be the hottest day of the summer too. The Earth's body of water will absorb the sun's rays, but it will take a while before the heat energy radiates on land.
Unfortunately for the opposite part of the world, June 21 will be their winter solstice. This will be the shortest day of the year.
Are you ready for the Summer Solstice this Saturday? Get your swimsuits and sunblock ready because it's going to be the start of a memorable summer 2014.
