SUMMER SOLSTICE -IAS GYAN

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What is Summer Solstice?

In Latin, it means sun stands still.
In northern hemisphere Summer solstice, 21 June, is considered the longest day of the year.
It also marks the shortest night at these places.
It happens when sun appears over 23.5 degrees north latitude.
On this day Sun shine directly over the Tropic of Cancer.
However at poles, the area receives less heat because sun rays are slanting.
As time zone of countries are different. They experience it at different times as local times vary.

Reason behind Summer Solstice

Due to rotation of earth around its tilted axis and revolution around sun, Earth experiences different seasons.
March to September is the time where Northern hemisphere is warm and experiences summer, June 20 to 22.
Due to tilt of earth axis, 23.5 degrees to its orbital plane, earth North Pole is inclined towards sun and South Pole is away from sun.
According to NASA, It is the only time when North Pole points more directly toward the Sun.

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Other Details

Southern hemisphere experiences Summer solstice during December 21 to 23.
Here sun rays fall directly over Tropic of Capricorn.
In the same period Winter solstice, longest night, is experienced in Northern Hemisphere.
For approximately 6 months the sun does not set during summer solstice at the Arctic Circle .

Must read Article:

Winter Solstice:

PRACTICE QUESTION

Explain the phenomenon of Summer solstice in detail. Also mention the reasons why earth experiences Summer solstice. (150 words)