The summer solstice takes place on 21 June this year, marking the official start of astronomical summer in the northern hemisphere. But what does this mean for you?
According to experts, the solstice marks the moment when the Earth's axis is tilted most directly towards the Sun, resulting in the longest day of the year. While it may seem like a simple fact, the timing of the solstice can actually vary slightly from year to year.
This variation occurs because the Earth takes almost six hours longer to orbit the Sun than the length of a calendar year. To account for this difference, an extra day is added every four years – known as a leap year – which is why the solstice sometimes falls on 20 or 22 June.
So what's behind this variation? The answer lies in the Earth's unique tilt, which affects the amount of sunlight that reaches different regions. When the northern hemisphere is tilted most directly towards the Sun, it receives more daylight and experiences warmer temperatures – but this also means shorter days during the winter months.
The solstice may be a date on your calendar, but its implications extend beyond just the day itself. It marks the beginning of astronomical summer in the UK, while meteorological summer started several weeks ago – defined as 1 June to 31 August by experts.