Solstice
In summer, when its solstice here,
It is the longest day of year;
But if in Southern Hemisphere,
Would be the shortest day of year;
Makes a difference where you are,
If here or there you’re near or far!
© F.W. HeatonJune, 2017
Today, 21 June, 2017, is marked by scientists as the Summer Solstice for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere and the Winter Solstice for those in the Southern Hemisphere!
A solstice occurs twice a year: the Summer Solstice occurs when the sun reaches its highest point in the sky at noon, marking the year's longest day; the Winter Solstice occurs when the sun reaches its lowest point in the sky at noon, marking the year's shortest day. Taking place approximately 21 June and 22 December, the solstices are opposite of the Equinoxes--the time or date (twice each year) at which the sun crosses the celestial equator, when day and night are of equal length, about 20 March and 22 September. It is these four events that determine the seasons of our years.
From Universe Today: “Seasons occur because of the tilt of the Earth’s rotational axis, which is about 23.4 degrees. Around the June Solstice, the Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun. This causes summer there. The Southern Hemisphere, on the other hand, is tilted away from the sun and therefore, experiences winter. The opposite occurs around the December Solstice when the Southern Hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun, while the Northern Hemisphere is tilted away.”
The solstices have been celebrated by humans since ancient times, creating cultural and spiritual traditions marking the movement toward and away from sunlight. In fact, the name solstice is derived from the Latin term “solstitium”, “sol” meaning the sun, “sistere” meaning to make stand; thus, when the sun appears to be standing still . If you observe monuments such as the pyramids of modern day Egypt or Mexico or Stonehenge in Britain, you will see crafted into these edifices the knowledge of the ancients as to the location and timing of the sun and the earth. Most people observing modern holidays do not realize the connection with these ancient traditions.
View of the Heel Stone at summer solstice sunrise, as seen from inside the Stonehenge monument.
How might your improved knowledge of seasonal cycles/earth and celestial science better serve you in your future? Although there are as many answers to this question as there are people, each of us can do our part at better understanding, better choices, better cooperation. And, while doing that work, we can get outside and celebrate these traditions, these events that, although occurring like clockwork, are in fact so few in number for each of our lives! Happy Summer Solstice (writing from North Carolina, USA) Today!