Here’s the science behind the summer solstice, including why its calendar date changes year to year.
The summer solstice isn't necessarily the hottest day of the year, but it is when we have the most sunlight.Only 7% of LAist readers currently donate to fund our journalism. Help raise that number, so our nonprofit newsroom stays strong in the face of federal cuts.
If you're enjoying this article, you'll love our daily newsletter, The LA Report. Each weekday, catch up on the 5 most pressing stories to start your morning in 3 minutes or less.Every June, the Northern Hemisphere reaches a celestial milestone: the summer solstice. It’s the longest day of the year and the official start ofWhat is the meaning of ‘the summer solstice’?Our planet rotates on a tilted axis, about 23.5 degrees off vertical — while “normally, planets should orbit with their axis straight, so they rotate in the same way that they revolve around the sun,” saidSo what happened to the Earth that explains this difference? “Astronomers now think that our planet got hit by another world, very early in the history of the solar system,” wrote Fraknoi. “And, like many accident victims, it couldn’t straighten out again.” Due to this tilt, as Earth orbits the sun, different parts of the globe receive varying amounts of sunlight throughout the year. This tilt is the reason for our seasons. On the summer solstice, the Northern Hemisphere leans most directly toward the sun. That means more direct sunlight and the longest stretch of daylight hours — up to 15 hours overall — for the year. Near the North Pole, the sun doesn’t set at all — a phenomenon known as the Meanwhile, in the Southern Hemisphere in regions inside the Antarctic Circle, it’s the exact opposite. At this time, they experience theirYou might notice the solstice doesn’t fall on the same day each year. That’s because our calendar system doesn’t perfectly match Earth’s orbit. The Gregorian calendar has 365 days, but the Earth actually takes about 365.25 days to orbit the Sun. That extra quarter-day is why we haveAstronomical seasonsBecause Earth moves in an elliptical orbit and not a perfect circle, seasons aren’t all the same length around the world. According toDuring the Northern Hemisphere’s summer, Earth is actually at its farthest point from the sun. This point, known asHowever, the difference in distance doesn’t significantly affect seasons. It’s the tilt, not the distance, that drives our weather changes.No. Even though the solstice brings the most daylight, it’s not usually the hottest day. That’s due to seasonal lag — the time it takes for Earth’s land and oceans to absorb and release heat, according to the Our planet’s water-covered surface soaks up energy slowly, meaning peak summer temperatures typically arrive in July or August. Last year,has shown that although the day of the summer solstice may serve as a key cue for plant growth and reproduction,At a time when trusted news and information are more important than ever, your donation ensures that LAist can continue to serve everyone in our community. Make a powerful statement that you value quality reporting from LAist and safeguard the future of public media today with your gift.Who can afford to become a teacher in California? The state offers multiple pathways toward completing its requirements, but many students who enter the teaching profession still risk getting into debt, even before accounting for cost of living.Internal OC report finds COVID testing partner double billed — and uncovers missing $523K check The Orange County investigative findings corroborate and expand on many details LAist recently reported about 360 Clinic, which ran large county testing sites during the pandemic.Tens of thousands of Angelenos gather for 'No Kings' protest, LAPD arrests dozens for alleged curfew violations The LAPD said there were 35 arrests for allegedly violating the curfew order overnight. In all, the department said there have been 561 arrests related to protest activity since last Saturday.Did a complicated 2024 homeless count lead to errors? Experts and some city officials think soThe businesses facing scrutiny in probes surrounding a disgraced OC supervisor
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