Summer Solstice 2011: Longest Day Of Year On June 21

Today, June 21, is the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, which means it's the longest day of the year in 2011.

The summer solstice occurs when the sun is the farthest north in the sky, directly above the Tropic of Cancer. According to USA Today, the exact moment of the solstice today will occur at 1:16 p.m. ET.

While some consider the summer solstice as the beginning of summer, many actually regard it as midsummer, though the definition varies between different regions and cultures. In the Southern Hemisphere, today actually marks the 2011 winter solstice. These seasons will again be flipped between the hemispheres on December 22, when the second solstice of the year occurs (winter for Northern Hemisphere, and summer for Southern Hemisphere).

From About.com:

On June 21, there are 24 hours of daylight north of the Arctic Circle (66.5° north of the equator) and 24 hours of darkness south of the Antarctic Circle (66.5° south of the equator). The sun's rays are directly overhead along the Tropic of Cancer (the latitude line at 23.5° north, passing through Mexico, Saharan Africa, and India) on June 21.

Although it's the longest day of the year, it usually isn't the warmest, International Business Times reports.

From IBT:

The Sun's angle is high before and after the summer solstice with a maximum number of daylight minutes. As the Sun begins to move lower in the sky, the length of daylight decreases, National Weather Service says.

For example, in New Mexico's Albuquerque, the maximum daily temperature occurs nearly 3 weeks later in mid July. This lag in temperature occurs because even though the minutes of daylight are decreasing, Earth's surface and atmosphere continues to receive more energy than just what it receives from the Sun. Average temperatures continue to climb until the Sun drops lower in the sky.

Many different people around the world celebrate the solstices, including a large gathering that happens every year at Stonehenge. This year, around 18,000 people were present at Stonehenge to witness the sunrise on the summer solstice, AP reports.

Even Google is celebrating the summer solstice with today's Google Doodle. According to Mashable.com, Japanese artist Takashi Murakami created the colorful logo, likewise making a winter version for those south of the equator.

Do you celebrate the summer solstice? Let us know your plans for the longest day of the year in the comments.

Comments

[JenniferAllen8319]

01:19 AM on 06/22/2011

Celebrations are in order for the longest day of the year! A tribute to the Sun, a life giving super star!

[sheeple999]

11:05 PM on 06/21/2011

Sitting in my little boat in Auckland, New Zealand, I can honestly say that my joy for those northern hemispheroids is somewhat tempered by the chilly draught that's threatening to freeze my boombah. :p

[BluePhantom2]

07:40 PM on 06/21/2011

It's party naked day!

[Papa Swamp]

03:50 PM on 06/21/2011

SO...paint the body blue....dance naked around a big bonfire tonight.

[robodawa]

03:13 PM on 06/21/2011

I was at this event in 1978. Pretty fun. Next summer if one can make it to Orkney and the Ring of Broghar, that event is tripped out on a different scale. Fewer people. More contemplative.
Lots of sheep.

[Forester]

01:19 PM on 06/21/2011

Time to start getting the firewood in for the upcoming winter.

[PeterLoffredo]

01:18 PM on 06/21/2011

I wrote a blog post around this time last year entitled, "THE SUN PREVENTS CANCER - OR WHY I HAVEN'T LISTENED TO DOCTORS FOR OVER 20 YEARS!" I was celebrating the beginning of summer and the healing power of the sun, and exposing the misconceptions that the medical establishment promotes to inspire fear in our populace. Today, there is an article in the New York Times that describes something I have known and experienced as real for many years, that bright sunlight is good for your eyes. The piece is entitled: "THE SUN IS THE BEST OPTOMETRIST," and it makes the claim that "the rapid increase in nearsightedness appears to be due to a characteristic of modern life: more and more time spent indoors under artificial lights."
Peter Loffredo, LCSW
http://fullpermissionliving.blogspot.com/

[Mark Montgomery]

12:52 PM on 06/21/2011

And so begins the descent back into winter darkness

[Joan McKenna]

01:23 PM on 06/21/2011

Dear Mark Montgomery,

Half full...half empty! Happy solstice anyway.
Joan
P.S. Spend at least twenty minutes outside in sunlight today between 12P.M. and 2P.M.

[Mark Montgomery]

03:48 PM on 06/21/2011

It is 1:46 and I am lacing up the running shoes to go for a run outside. I actually like winter. My dogs and I spend a lot of time running in the snow covered hills...during the winter.

[Moti]

12:31 PM on 06/21/2011

We used to live up around 55 degrees north, I can remember my Dad mowing the lawn at 10 at night and getting up at 4 in the morning for my paper route as the sun began to rise.

[newworldman777]

12:14 PM on 06/21/2011

I have a few nit-picky problems with the story.

"Today, June 21, is the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, which means it's the longest day of the year in 2011."

Even though they proceed to make the comment that this is the winter solstice in the Southern Hemisphere -- the "shortest day of the year" for them -- the story implies that the earth is basically experiencing the longest day of the year. Again and again, the countries of the Northern Hemisphere (including America and Europe) place themselves on a pedestal, as if we are the only ones who matter. Whatever. Also, this isn't the "longest day of the year." It will last for 24 hours (and a few immeasurable parts of a second, to be accurate), just like all other days. What it is is the day with the most daylight time in the Northern Hemisphere.

[GraphicMatt]

12:21 PM on 06/21/2011

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...........

[Moti]

12:51 PM on 06/21/2011

So, you actually think the countries of the northern hemisphere (why did you capitalize that, by the way) wrote this article as a means to put themselves on a pedestal? Interesting, but why not, we were here first.

[L I Beral]

11:59 AM on 06/21/2011

And...... finally..... a bright sunny day in the great northwest! Good timing, Mom.

[Carroll27]

11:50 AM on 06/21/2011

I guess black people don't celebrate the summer solstice.

[Pandoras Folly]

11:57 AM on 06/21/2011

that is a good question. i guess near the equator you wouldn't really notice it much. and without snows and seasonal nights and all those social implications it just wouldn't matter. wet season, dry season. hmmmmm got to look that up.

[Moti]

12:12 PM on 06/21/2011

I think I know what you're trying to say but the way you said it seems sweepingly myopic.

[Max Shaw]

01:42 PM on 06/21/2011

Lmao...

[keramos]

11:50 AM on 06/21/2011

We finally have some cloud cover here in San Antonio.  Thank goodness.  The last few days have been in the 104 F range of temperature.  If this is the longest day, let it at least be cooler for us.

Happy solstice to the solstice worshippers.

[Mark Montgomery]

12:51 PM on 06/21/2011

Yesterday, it snowed in Breckenridge with a winter storm warning in the mountains. My nieces spent 3 1/2 hours for their first day of soccer camp in 39 degree weather just outside Colorado Springs.

[sdmartintc]

01:22 PM on 06/21/2011

One year when I was visiting Colorado, I spent the summer solstice in a snowstorm on Independence Pass east of Aspen.

[Vikingdave]

11:42 AM on 06/21/2011

Rejoice all you Pagans! A most excellent solstice to one and all.

[Joan McKenna]

01:09 PM on 06/21/2011

Dear Vikingdave,
Some of those of us who celebrate today subscribe to "the old ways". Some of us believe in nature and the power of the sun, the moon and the stars as do scientists. Christians eventually developed from the religion before them as most if not all religions have. Christians began to denigrate previous religions by referring to them as pagans. I don't believe that your use of the term "pagan" was to insult or denigrate. An equally most excellent solstice to you. I went to Stonehenge in 2001, but not on a solstice. If you haven't been there yet, suggest that you go.

[LintLass]

11:43 PM on 06/21/2011

We more often than not call *ourselves* Pagans. If we didn't, then they'd *still* be using it in denigrating ways and claiming it's synonymous with having no religion at all. :)

[dutchman]

11:26 AM on 06/21/2011

The place to be is Stockholm.   They do the solstice right!