The summer solstice of 2015 is about a half day away and June 21 will mark the longest day of the year.
The exact time of the summer solstice is 12 39 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time or 9 39 a.m. on the West Coast. Over in Europe at Stonehenge where the solstice is always a day to celebrate the event will take place at 5 39 p.m.
The June solstice annually marks the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. In Springfield Massachusetts for example the sun will rise at 5 14 a.m. and set at 8 29 p.m. and the total daylight will be 15 hours 15 minutes and 16 seconds (not that we'll see much sunlight in New England for summer solstice 2015 based on the weather forecast).
The summer solstice will be celebrated at the University of Massachusetts' sunwheel in Amherst. Celebrations are planned for sunrise and sunset but will be canceled if the rain is as heavy as predicted. Details are here
In the Southern Hemisphere it's actually the winter solstice and the shortest day of the year. In Springfield South Australia the 2015 June solstice occurs on Monday at 2 09 a.m. and there will be only 9 hours 48 minutes and 21 seconds of daylight.
Here's more about solstices and the Earth's yearly trip around the sun
What's a solstice
According to timeanddate.com
A solstice happens when the sun's zenith is at its furthest point from the equator. On the June solstice it reaches its northernmost point and the Earth's North Pole tilts directly towards the sun at about 23.5 degrees. It's also known as the northern solstice because it occurs when the sun is directly over the Tropic of Cancer in the Northern Hemisphere.Is the summer solstice always on June 21
No but it usually is. In fact the 2016 summer solstice will occur on June 20. But there hasn't been a June 22 summer solstice since 1971 and there won't be another one until 2203. Sorry kids.
When's the 2015 winter solstice
For those planning to stay in the Northern Hemisphere plan on the winter solstice the shortest day of the year to take place on Dec. 21 at 11 49 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Springfield Massachusetts will have a measly 9 hours 6 mintues and 17 seconds of daylight that day.
What about equinoxes
The 2015 autumnal equinox for the Northern Hemisphere will take place in Massachusetts on Sept. 23 at 4 22 a.m. EDT. It will mark the end of summer and the beginning of autumn. Equinoxes are so called because the amount of daylight and darkness are about the same 12 hours apiece.
Looking back and planning ahead
If you want to check out times of solstices and equinoxes from 2000 to 2049 timeanddate.com has it all for you here
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