11/19/2023 0 Comments June 20th 2016 summer equinox![]() ![]() Because the circles of declination intersect the horizon at a shallow angle around the solstice, Earth must spin a while longer before the Sun reaches the –18° mark. True night begins when the Sun dips 18° below the horizon. This map depicts circles of declination intersecting the western horizon in late June. Indeed, the June solstice marks the longest day and shortest night of the year for the northern hemisphere.Ī higher sun also means that solar rays beam nearly straight down instead of from a low angle as they do in winter. Direct rays concentrate the Sun’s energy, heat the air and ground more intensely, and keep temperatures warm. All this extra energy and light is put to good use coaxing leaves from trees and making our gardens grow. Higher means it spends more time traveling across the sky from east to west, increasing the length of day at the expense of the night. The seasons are caused by the tilt of the Earth’s axis and its changing orientation to the Sun during its yearly orbit.ĭuring summer, the Earth’s northern hemisphere tilts toward the Sun, so the daytime star appears higher in the sky. At the same time, the southern hemisphere tilts away from the Sun at the start of its winter season or winter solstice. The Sun rides high in the sky and days are long. During Earth’s yearly revolution, the northern hemisphere tilts toward the Sun at the summer solstice (left). Whatever protoplanet came along billions of years ago to give ours a proper whack and tip us over on our side 23.5° - thank you. I love the ease of the season, and it all boils down to a simple astronomical fact - the tilt of Earth's axis. We've endured frozen fingers and cracked pipes to finally enjoy the simple pleasure of walking out the door in shirtsleeves and shorts every June. Since December, you and I have been on a journey of more than 292 million miles (470 million km) - half an orbit - from winter to summer. Welcome, summer! Welcome, late sunsets, long twilights, fierce heat, lazy afternoons, and the return of the sumptuous summertime Milky Way. The season begins on Monday June 20th at 22:34 UT, the moment when the Sun reaches its northernmost point in the sky. For North American time zones that's 6:34 p.m. Summer officially starts on Monday June 20th, the summer solstice, when the Sun crests to its highest point in the sky, making for the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere. Celebrate the June 20th solstice, when the Sun and the full Strawberry Moon combine their powers to illuminate both day and night. ![]()
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