Celebrate the Summer Solstice

The 21^st of June is one of the four major annual solar events: the Summer Solstice. Summer Solstice is the longest day of the year, from sunrise to sunset and is opposite in the calendar to the Winter Solstice which is the shortest day of the year. In between Solstices, there are two Equinoxes in the Spring and Autumn, which fall on the dates where day and night are equal length.

Summer Solstice has been celebrated since ancient times, and learning about the Earth’s path around the sun helps you understand the cycle of the seasons. Here’s some Solstice information and lore to help you celebrate the longest day all day long.

In its orbit around the Sun, the Earth’s axis is on a tilt. This tilted axis is what creates seasons on Earth. For half the year, from the Vernal, or Spring, Equinox until the Fall Equinox, the Northern Hemisphere of the planet is tilted closer to the Sun than the Southern Hemisphere. From the Autumnal Equinox until the Vernal Equinox, the Southern Hemisphere is closer to the Sun.

This is also why the seasonal cycle differs between the hemispheres. In the Northern Hemisphere the cold season of winter is centered around the months of December, January and February. In the Southern Hemisphere, these same months are the middle of the warm summer season.

With the axis of the Earth tilted, the exposure to the sun varies along the path of orbit. When the tilt of the Northern Hemisphere is as close as it will get to the sun, the Summer Solstice occurs and the days begin to get shorter ad the orbit of the Earth sends the axis towards its farthest point.

This year, the exact time when the sun is closest to the Northern Hemisphere will happen before sunrise for Phoenix residents, at 3:07 am on Thursday the 21st, 2018. At this moment, the Northern Hemisphere will be positioned as close as it can be to the Sun. For Arizona Residents, our longest day begins at 5:18 am and will last until sunset at 7:41pm, giving us 14 hours and 22 minutes of daytime. The closer you are to the North Pole, the longer your Solstice day will be. At the North Pole, the Solstice is a 24-hour day.

Did you know that the exact length of the year’s longest day can vary? Geologic factors play a role in speeding up and slowing down the rotation of the Earth around its axis. Going back in time 4.5 billion years ago, a day (marked by one complete rotation of the Earth around its axis) lasted for only 6 hours. Now, different factors can speed or slow the rotation of the Earth in tiny increments. The tidal motion of water on the Earth’s surface presents a force that is slowing the Earth’s spin, while other factors like earthquakes, volcanoes and melting polar ice can cause the rotation to speed up.

The Summer Solstice has been a time of celebration across cultures since ancient times. Markers in the ancient world, such as Stonehenge, are aligned towards the Earth’s Solar path.

Traditionally, Summer Solstice is celebrated with wreaths, flowers and, of course, feasting on the bounty of Summer. Many people have Summer Solstice celebrations outside to soak in the light of the Sun, and then follow the day with a bright bonfire at night.
A great solstice activity for kids is making bouquets and wreaths out of real or fake flowers. Kids can also help make a centerpiece for your Summer Solstice meal.

Sun-centric activities are great Solstice activities. Try making a jar of sun tea by placing a covered jar with water and your favorite tea in a bright sunny spot. After letting the tea steep in the sun for a few hours you can chill the drink for a bright, refreshing iced tea.

When it’s time to beat the heat, CC Sunscreens has got you covered. We offer custom sunscreens that reduce your energy needs and keep your home comfortable all year round. With a variety of styles and colors, CC Sunscreens has sun solutions to match any home, and the power to cool your home passively all through Arizona’s Summer heat.