2023 Summer Solstice is this week. Here's what to know about the first day of summer
The Summer Solstice is the day with the most sunlight in the Northern Hemisphere. This year, it falls on Wednesday, June 21, 2023, at 10:58 a.m. EDT.
– The Summer Solstice marks the first day of astronomical summer in the Northern Hemisphere.
– The sun will reach its highest point in the sky on the Summer Solstice, and the days will start to get shorter after this point.
– The Summer Solstice is a time to celebrate the sun and the arrival of summer. Many cultures have traditional celebrations on this day.
– In the Southern Hemisphere, the Summer Solstice marks the first day of winter.
Here are some fun facts about the Summer Solstice:– The word "solstice" comes from the Latin words sol ("sun") and sistere ("to stand still"). This is because the sun appears to stand still in the sky on the Summer Solstice.
– The Summer Solstice is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, but it is not the day with the earliest sunrise. The earliest sunrise actually occurs four days earlier, on June 17, 2023.
– The Summer Solstice is a popular time for outdoor activities, such as hiking, swimming, and camping.
– Many cultures have traditional celebrations on the Summer Solstice, such as the Midsummer Festival in Sweden and the Litha festival in Celtic cultures.