Summer solstice, that's why this year it is June 20th

On a scientific level, the June Solstice corresponds to the beginning of the astronomical summer, which will end on September 22, 2024 with the Autumnal Equinox

ROME – Summer, astronomically speaking, officially begins today, June 20th.There spring season ends at 10.50pm, when the Sun reaches the maximum possible height above the horizon, giving us more hours of light than usual.The longest day of the year, therefore, to which we of the north equator refer as Summer solstice.

WHY IS THE SUMMER SOLSTICE ON JUNE 20?

In 2023, the Summer Solstice was June 21st, this year it is June 20th.The dates change due to a discrepancy between our calendar and the actual duration of the earth's revolution.The Earth, in fact, employs just over 365 days to complete its revolution around the Sun (precisely 365 days, 5 hours, 48 ​​minutes and 48 seconds).However, the Gregorian calendar rounds the year to 365 days and does not take the extra into account. The surplus hours are realigned every 4 years with the leap year, causing the dates of equinoxes and solstices to be postponed or brought forward.

READ ALSO: Leap year, that's why February has one more day

WHAT IS THE SOLSTICE

The term 'Solstice' derives from the Latin words 'sol', meaning Sun, and 'sistere' meaning 'stop':that is to say, the moment when the Sun stops at its highest point.

The Earth's axis is always tilted at an angle of approximately 23.5 degrees compared to the ecliptic, i.e. the imaginary plane created by path of the Earth around the Sun. However, the orientation of the slope changes throughout the year.

The Summer Solstice, for us north of the equator, occurs precisely when the axis is most inclined towards the Sun and the rays hit the tropical latitude line directly (for us in the Northern Hemisphere, the Tropic of Cancer).

In this way our star stays in the sky for a longer period of time (about 16 hours), producing more light.From tomorrow, the Sun will gradually begin to set, until reaching its minimum point on the horizon on the Winter Solstice, which in 2024 will fall on December 21st.On the contrary, however, it happens in the southern hemisphere, where the summer solstice occurs in December with the Sun at its zenith in the Tropic of Capricorn.

On a scientific level the June Solstice corresponds to the beginning of astronomical summer, which will end on September 22, 2024 with the Autumnal Equinox.

THE MIDNIGHT SUN

North of the Arctic Circle, near the Summer solstice, the Sun does not descend below the horizon for a long period, during which night never falls. We witness an interminable sunset, with the Sun clearly visible above the horizon even at midnight.The duration It depends on the latitude.
The phenomenon of the so-called 'white nights' affects Alaska, Canada, Greenland, Russia, Norway, Sweden and Finland.

THE MYTH OF STONEHENGE

The Stonehenge monumental complex it is the fulcrum of the mysteries linked to the solstice and equinox:the stones that compose it are in fact aligned in correspondence of the points where the sun rises on those particular days, which is why it was hypothesized that the site it was an ancient astronomical observatory. However, little is known about the construction of Stonehenge: the most popular tradition sees it linked to the cult of the druids, who established the site as a place of sacrifice.Each megalith that makes up the complex has a name and a history:the most curious is the one linked to the so-called Heel Stone (Heel Stone), formerly known by the names of Pietra del Sole (Sun-Stone) and Tallone del Frate (Friar's Heel).

A popular tale explains the origin of the name thus:

“The devil bought the stones from a woman in Ireland, wrapped them up and took them to Salisbury Plain.One of the stones fell into the River Avon, the others were carried onto the plain.The devil then shouted, 'No one will ever find out how these stones got here.'' A friar replied, 'This is what you believe!', then the devil threw one of the stones at the friar and hit him on the heel.The stone got stuck in the ground, and is still there.”