15 things you probably didn't know about the summer solstice
Summer solstice, which falls on June 20, 2016, is the longest day of the year above the equator. The day is also the official day of summer – it begins at 6:34 p.m. EDT.
The astronomical event is also the turning point after which the sun starts rising later and setting earlier.
So how is it that, even though it’s summer, the warmest season, the days are shorter? It all has to do with the tilt of the Earth’s axis, not its distance from the sun.
Did you also know that, contrary to popular belief, the Earth is not closest to the most important source of energy for life on summer solstice and the earliest sunrise of the year doesn’t happen on that day?
1. A Swedish party like no other
Sweden is not known for having warm and bright days for most of the year. The short summers and dark winters are part of the reason why summer solstice, also known as Midsommar in Swedish, is a national holiday celebrated like no other. People often call it “the best party of the year.” They eat, dance and sing all day outside around a pole. This is when people eat the first strawberries of the season, usually on top of a cream cake. Pickled herring, called sill, and boiled potatoes with dill are also a must on the table.
2. Longest day of the year but not the hottestYou may think that the sun shining brightly for more hours than any other day will make it the warmest. Water is slower to heat than air or land. At the summer solstice, the Northern Hemisphere receives the most energy (highest intensity) from the sun due to the angle of sunlight and day length, according to Almanac. However, the land and oceans are still relatively cool, due to spring’s temperatures, so the maximum heating effect on air temperature is not felt just yet.
3. Most famous celebration is in England
Thousands of people, many of whom wear traditional Celtic attire, camp out for four days every year at England’s Stonehenge, an ancient prehistoric site. Many locals believe that Stonehenge was the site of ancient druid solstice celebrations because of the way the sun lines up with the stones on solstices. The 8th Stonehenge Summer Solstice Festival is June 18-21, with sunrise at 4:15 am on June 21.
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