- The summer solstice marks the official start of summer, occurring when Earth's North Pole is angled closest to the Sun, bringing the longest day and shortest night to the Northern Hemisphere.
- This year, the exact moment of the solstice will be at 10:42 PM Eastern Time on June 20, which translates to 3:42 AM on June 21 in the United Kingdom.
- People worldwide traditionally observe the change of seasons around the solstice with various celebrations, including bonfires, festivals, and Fête de la Musique.
- The word "solstice" means "solar standstill," reflecting how the Sun's angle appears to shift very gradually for about 10 days around this time.
- Ancient monuments like Stonehenge, Karnak, and Chankillo reveal that civilizations have tracked the Sun's northern and southern travels for over 5,000 years.
IN FULL
Astronomer reveals the exact time of this year’s summer solstice
