2011 SUMMER SOLSTICE

Today, June 21, 2001, at 17:16 UTC (12:16 p.m. Central US time), the Earth’s axis will point toward the center of the Sun. Or from an Earth-boundpoint of view old Sol will reach its peak in its northward travels this year. This moment is the summer solstice. Known as “Midsummer” the Summer Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, Winter in the Southern hemisphere. The origin from  the Latin for sol (sun) and sistere (to stand still). The Sun reaches its most Northerly point, or it is the highest in the sky from the northern hemisphere, creating around this date the longest day and shortest night.  Momentarily standing still before starting its journey South until it reaches its most Southerly point “Winter Solstice”, before repeating the cycle. This is basically how we get our seasons.

Stonehenge

About these ads