This Month's Solar System Things
The Summer Solstice
The solstice occurs when Earth’s tilt toward the Sun is at a maximum and the Sun is directly over the Tropic of Cancer.
During the summer solstice, the Sun is at its highest point in the sky and marks the longest day of the year.
The Summer Solstice marks the official start of astronomical summer.
The word solstice literally means “sun standing still” - derived from combining the Latin words sol for “sun” and sistere for “ to stand still”.
In the northern hemisphere, the length of daylight varies depending on the latitude.
At the equator , the time from sunrise to sunset is about 12 hours.
Casper, WY will have 14 hours and 1 minute of sunlight on Friday, June 20, 2025, and will occur at 8:41 pm MST.
We have Earth’s tilt to thank for the seasons, and without it both hemispheres would receive equal light throughout the year.
As Earth orbits the sun, the axis of rotation of Earth is slightly tilted at 23.44 degrees. This means that as Earth orbits the Sun, the Northern Hemisphere is tilted towards the Sun during one half of the year. During the other half, the Southern Hemisphere tilts towards it.
The solstices do not land on the same calendar day every year because the astronomical year is 365.25 days long. The summer solstice for the Northern Hemisphere currently shifts between June 20, 21 and 22.
The summer solstice does, however, occur at the same time for every country independently of which side of Earth is facing the sun. This means the exact moment of Summer Solstice can occur in the middle of the night for some people and the middle of the day for others.
While the sun always rises in the east and sets in the west, it appears higher or lower in the sky throughout the year depending on the season.
Once the sun reaches its zenith at the summer solstice, it will begin its journey toward the horizon, culminating in the winter solstice at its lowest points. In the weeks before these solstice turning points, the sun appears to move very little, earning it the name “sun standstill”.
Summer Solstice Observances
Humans have been observing the sun’s position in the sky for thousands of years. Solstices have influenced many traditions and celebrations around the world.
Dance around a maypole in Sweden - the Sma Grodorna (“the Little Frogs”) decorated with flowers and leaves, while wearing flower wreaths, is a traditional way to celebrate Midsomer, an official holiday in Sweden. Dancing and playing games at large parties is a part of the celebration. It is a time of magic and superstition. Some Swedes walk barefoot in the dew, believing it will improve their health. Others hold that if young women silently collect seven specific types of flowers and sleep with them under their pillows, they will dream of the men they will marry.
Gather around a bonfire in Barcelona. On the solstice, the Canigo Flame is carried to Sant Jaume Square in the center of Barcelona where representatives take some of the eternal flame, a symbol of Catalan unity, to light bonfires in their neighborhoods. Friends, family, and neighbors share outdoor feasts featuring savory tarts and “coca de Sant Juan”, sweet breads, and celebrate with music and fireworks. Swimming in the sea at midnight is popular on the coast and some stay up all night.
Watch a baseball game under the midnight sun in Fairbanks, Alaska.
The Fairbanks Midnight Sun Baseball Game is a 119-year-old tradition that began in 1906 as a bar bet. Teams play on June 21 each year, with the first pitch thrown around 10 pm. No artificial lighting is used – that far north, the sunlight lingers past midnight on the solstice.
Plunge into the ocean in Puerto Rico. At the stroke of midnight, some people in Puerto Rico plunge backward into the ocean to stave off negativity and bring luck. This leap of faith is part of Noche de San Juan celebrations, which mark the eve of Saint John the Baptist’s Nativity. Before the midnight dip, the holiday features a busy beach day with cookouts, music, games, swimming and dancing.
Witness the sun align at Stonehenge
On the summer solstice, the sun rises behind the Heel Stone of Stonehenge, creating an incredible alignment with the sun.
People come from around the world to witness this celestial event. The World Heritage Site, on Salisbury plain in southern Stonehenge, is about 4,500 years old and has an important connection to the sun. It was carefully designed to align with the movements of the sun, which is pretty spectacular when you think about how old it is.
At Stonehenge, in the U.K., the sun rises behind the ancient entrance to a stone circle and the sunlight is channeled into the center of the monument. Researchers believe that solstices have been celebrated at Stonehenge for thousands of years. The stone circle is particularly important to pagans and druids.
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