June 21 known as the summer solstice is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere

June 21, 2021 1:00 PM | Skymet Weather Team

The longest day in the Northern hemisphere is known as the June solstice for the summer solstice. On the other hand it is the shortest day in Southern hemisphere and it is known as Winter solstice in Southern hemisphere.

There are two voltage in a year, in June and December. The June solstice is around June 21, when the Sun is directly overhead the Tropic of Cancer. The December solstice is around December 21. On this day, the Sun is directly over the Tropic of Capricorn.

In Latin, the words sol, meaning Sun, and sistere, meaning to come to a stop or standstill. On this day in June, the Sun reaches its northernmost position, as seen from the Earth. Its zenith does not move north or south as happens during most other days of the year. It stands still at the Tropic of Cancer. It then reverses its direction and starts moving south once again.

During the December solstice, it's almost the opposite. Then, the Sun reaches its southernmost position in the sky - Tropic of Capricorn - stands still, and then starts moving in the opposite direction towards the north.

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