Summer Solstice 2013: Google Doodle Welcomes The Hottest Season

Although you may have been feeling the heat for some time now (especially in Alaska), today marks the official first day of summer, an occasion Google is celebrating with one of their famous Google Doodles. The animation of sports, friendship and awkward bathing suit moments encapsulates summer the way that only a Doodle can do.

Yet googling “Summer Solstice 2013” this morning may have been confusing to some. Although Google chose today for a summer Doodle, the actual summer solstice varies depending on where you are. According to National Geographic:

For Americans, summer will begin either on Thursday or Friday—depending on which time zone you live in.
That's because the timing of the summer solstice depends on when the sun reaches its farthest point north of the equator, and that varies from year to year.

This year's summer solstice falls on Friday, June 21, at 1:04 a.m. ET, but it will start on Thursday night for places in North America west of the Central Time Zone.

Whether you kicked off your summer barbeque yesterday or plan on celebrating this afternoon, check out some of our most eco-friendly summer tips here.

Image via Google