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Saudi Gazette
21-06-2025
- Science
- Saudi Gazette
Summer season begins astronomically on Saturday
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The skies over Saudi Arabia and the rest of the Northern Hemisphere witnessed the summer solstice at 5:42 AM Makkah time on Saturday, June 21. At this moment, the sun came directly overhead above the Tropic of Cancer (latitude 23.5° N), marking the beginning of astronomical summer. This year, the astronomical summer will last 93 days, 15 hours, and 37 minutes. The Jeddah Astronomical Society President Eng. Majed Abu Zahra said that on this day, the sun rises from the far northeast and sets in the far northwest. At noon, the shadows of objects are the shortest of the year, and the sun's apparent path takes its highest arc northward, placing it at its highest altitude in the sky of the year, especially in areas north of the equator. Abu Zahra pointed out that it is important to differentiate between astronomical summer and climatic summer. Meteorologists consider summer to extend from June 1 to August 31, while in astronomy, summer begins when the sun reaches its maximum altitude, i.e., the day of the summer solstice. Although this day is the longest day of the year in terms of the number of hours of sunlight, it is not necessarily the hottest. This is because the oceans, land and atmosphere take time to absorb and store solar energy, then re-emit it. This delay in feeling the heat is known as the 'seasonal lag', and temperatures usually peak in July or August. Abu Zahra said that the summer solstice occurs when the sun reaches its apparent northernmost point in the sky. This coincides with the Earth reaching a position in its orbit where its axis is tilted at the maximum angle (23.5 degrees) toward the sun, causing the longest day and shortest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, while the situation is completely reversed in the Southern Hemisphere. "The summer solstice does not occur on the same day every year, but rather between June 20 and 22. This is due to the difference between the calendar year (365 days) and the tropical year (365.2422 days), along with the gravitational effects of the moon and planets, and the slight fluctuations in the Earth's rotation, which are compensated for by adding a leap day every four years," he said.
Gulf Insider
21-06-2025
- Science
- Gulf Insider
Summer Begins With Longest Day And Shortest Night Across Saudi Arabia
At precisely 5:42 a.m. local time on Saturday, June 21, 2025, the sun stood directly above the Tropic of Cancer, signaling the arrival of the summer solstice across Saudi Arabia and the rest of the Northern Hemisphere. Astronomers say this marks the beginning of summer in astronomical terms, a season that will last 93 days, 15 hours, and 37 minutes this year. On this day, the sun rises from its northernmost point on the horizon and sets at its furthest northwestern point. It also traces its highest arc across the sky, particularly noticeable in regions north of the equator, and casts the shortest noontime shadows of the year. Majid Abu Zahra, head of the Jeddah Astronomy Society, said that the solstice occurs when the Earth's axial tilt reaches its maximum angle of 23.5 degrees toward the sun. 'This causes the sun to appear at its most northerly point in the sky,' he said, 'resulting in the longest day and shortest night of the year for the Northern Hemisphere.' But while the solstice consistently occurs around June 21, the date can vary slightly, falling between June 20 and 22, due to the mismatch between the Gregorian calendar year (365 days) and the solar year (365.2422 days), as well as gravitational influences from the Moon and planets, and minor variations in Earth's rotation. These shifts are periodically corrected by the addition of leap days. Abu Zahra also highlighted the distinction between astronomical and meteorological summer. 'While meteorologists define summer as the period from June 1 to August 31, astronomers define it from the summer solstice onward,' he said. Interestingly, the solstice does not coincide with the hottest day of the year. Due to a phenomenon known as 'seasonal lag,' the land, oceans, and atmosphere take time to absorb and re-radiate solar energy, meaning peak temperatures typically occur in July or August. The summer solstice also holds historical significance. Abu Zahra noted that the ancient Greek scholar Eratosthenes famously used observations from the solstice to estimate the Earth's circumference with remarkable accuracy, relying solely on basic geometry and the difference in shadow lengths between two cities. Following Saturday's solstice, the sun will begin its apparent journey southward, gradually shortening daylight hours until the autumnal equinox on September 22.
Hans India
21-06-2025
- Science
- Hans India
June 21 Marks Year's Longest Day: All About the Summer Solstice
As the Northern Hemisphere steps into summer, June 21, 2025, stands out as a remarkable astronomical event—welcoming the longest day and the shortest night of the year, known as the summer solstice. At precisely 8:12 am IST, the solstice occurs when Earth's axis leans at its maximum toward the Sun. This alignment places the Sun directly overhead at the Tropic of Cancer, allowing regions like India, the United States, and Europe to bask in extended daylight. The North Pole, in fact, will witness a full 24 hours of sunlight. This phenomenon is driven by Earth's 23.5-degree axial tilt, which not only governs the seasons but also determines the length of daylight each region receives throughout the year. The tilt causes the Sun's rays to strike the Northern Hemisphere more directly and for a longer span during the summer solstice. Interestingly, the solstice date can vary slightly every year due to Earth's orbital period of approximately 365.25 days. This small difference is corrected through leap years, which help sync our calendar with Earth's celestial movements. While June 21 marks peak sunlight for the Northern Hemisphere, it is quite the opposite for the Southern Hemisphere. Regions as far south as the Antarctic Circle enter polar night—a stretch where the Sun doesn't rise above the horizon at all. Beyond its scientific relevance, the summer solstice carries deep cultural and historical significance. Civilizations from ancient Egypt to pre-modern Europe have honored this celestial moment. One of the most iconic tributes continues at Stonehenge, where thousands gather to witness the Sun rising through the ancient stone structure—a tradition rooted in millennia. In India, the solstice also sets the stage for International Yoga Day, observed on the same day. This global celebration emphasizes harmony between mind, body, and the natural world, symbolizing the connection between humanity and the cosmos. Though June 21 heralds the official start of astronomical summer, it also marks the gradual shortening of days. From June 22 onward, daylight hours begin to wane—reminding us of the Earth's continuous and graceful orbit around the Sun.
Time of India
20-06-2025
- Time of India
Solstice 2025: Why the world's longest day isn't its hottest and what happens after
At precisely 10:42 p.m. EDT on 20 June (2:42 a.m. GMT on 21 June), the sun hits its highest point in the sky for the year — the summer solstice . This is the moment the Northern Hemisphere tilts most directly toward the sun, kicking off astronomical summer. The sun will appear directly overhead at the Tropic of Cancer (23.5° north), roughly 1,400 miles south of Tokyo in the Pacific Ocean. While places like London, New York, or Delhi will never see the sun directly overhead, it will climb as high as it gets all year. In Philadelphia, for example, it will be 73° above the horizon at 1:02 p.m. local time — that's seven clenched fists high, if you're measuring by hand. Longer days, shorter nights but not fully dark For most living north of the equator, 21 June offers the longest stretch of daylight. In Philadelphia, the sun will be up for exactly 15 hours. But don't expect nine full hours of night. Twilight eats into the darkness. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like If You Eat Ginger Everyday for 1 Month This is What Happens Tips and Tricks Undo At around 40° latitude, morning and evening twilight each last just over two hours, leaving only five hours of true darkness. The farther north you go, the more this grows. At 45°, twilight lasts 2.5 hours. And by 50°, the sky never gets fully dark at all. Down south, it's a different story. At 30°, twilight lasts just 96 minutes. In San Juan, Puerto Rico, it fades in 80. That's why tourists from the northern U.S. often notice how quickly night falls in the Caribbean. Live Events Not the earliest sunrise, nor the latest sunset Despite the sun's lofty arc, 21 June is neither the earliest sunrise nor the latest sunset. The earliest sunrise already happened — on 14 June. And the latest sunset is still to come, arriving on 27 June. The reason is linked to Earth's orbit and the uneven speed of its journey around the sun. So, even though the solstice marks the longest span of daylight, the clock times for sunrise and sunset don't line up perfectly. It's not the hottest day either and here's why Temperatures in the UK on solstice day are expected to reach 33°C, especially in eastern England. But that's not unusual for late June. In fact, the solstice day temperature record still belongs to 2017, when Heathrow Airport recorded 34.5°C. The warmest days often come weeks after the solstice. That's because land and air take time to heat up — a lag known as seasonal temperature delay . This is also the time many wrongly believe Earth is closest to the sun. It's not. That moment, called perihelion, happened back on 4 January. On 3 July, Earth will reach aphelion — its farthest point — at 152 million km from the sun. That's a difference of over 3 million miles compared to January. The resulting drop in solar energy is around 7%. Still, thanks to the Northern Hemisphere's greater landmass, summers here tend to be warmer despite being farther from the sun. The word 'Solstice' and the science behind it The word solstice comes from the Latin sol (sun) and sistere (to stand still). That's exactly what the sun seems to do — pause at its highest point before it starts heading south again. Why does this happen? Earth's axis is tilted, not straight. This tilt (23.5°) is why we have seasons. As Earth orbits the sun, the Northern Hemisphere leans toward it in June and away in December. Without this tilt, we wouldn't have distinct seasons — just a single, unchanging climate. On the solstice, the sun appears directly above the Tropic of Cancer — that's the only time in the year it does so. Sunlight that never ends: From Scotland to Iceland Across the Arctic Circle, the sun doesn't set at all. This 'midnight sun' lights up parts of Norway, Finland, Greenland, and Alaska. Even in Reykjavík, Iceland, the sun sets just after midnight. In the UK, daylight length varies dramatically. Inverness will see 1 hour and 35 minutes more daylight than Plymouth. This sharp contrast comes from how far north a place lies, and how steeply sunlight hits it. Countdown to Autumn begins subtly Once the solstice passes, the sun begins its slow journey southward. The amount of daylight begins to decrease — though barely at first. By 6 August, the midpoint between solstice and autumn equinox , sunset in Philadelphia will arrive at 8:08 p.m., 56 minutes earlier than on 21 June. Christian calendars once marked 1 August as Lammas Day — from the Old English loaf-mass — a harvest festival seen as summer's halfway mark. But in 2024, summer's exact midpoint lands on 6 August at 6:30 p.m. EDT. From that day on, the shift becomes noticeable. By 22 September, when autumn officially begins, the sun in Philadelphia will set at 6:57 p.m. — shaving off nearly two hours of daylight since early August. Baseball legend Yogi Berra may not have studied planetary motion, but he captured the essence of late summer better than most. 'It's getting late early out there,' he once said, describing the deepening shadows in left field as the sun sank lower in August and September. He wasn't wrong. As the sun dips lower in the sky, the daylight shortens, and the shadows stretch longer. It's the Earth quietly signalling the approach of autumn.
Qatar Tribune
18-06-2025
- Climate
- Qatar Tribune
Qatar will witness longest day, shortest night next Saturday: Qatar Calendar House
DOHA: The Qatar Calendar House has announced that the sun will be directly over the Tropic of Cancer in the Northern Hemisphere on Saturday, June 21, at 5.42am Doha time. Dr Bashir Marzouq, an astronomy expert at the Qatar Calendar House, said: 'Residents of the Northern Hemisphere, including Qatar, will experience the longest day and shortest night of the year, as the summer solstice will occur in the Northern Hemisphere. The opposite will happen for residents of the Southern Hemisphere, as the winter solstice will occur on the same day.' The summer solstice is an important astronomical phenomenon. The inhabitants of the globe rely on it, along with the other four seasons, to determine climate changes. Furthermore, on this day, the sun will rise from the farthest point to the northeast of the sky in the State of Qatar, and the length of the shadow at noon (the time of the noon call to prayer) on this day will be the shortest shadow of the year. Dr Marzouq added: 'The summer solstice phenomenon comes after the vernal equinox that occurred last March, as the sun continued its apparent movement gradually towards the north after being perpendicular to the equator on the day of the vernal equinox. The length of the day gradually increased for residents of the northern hemisphere, as this gradual progression will reach its peak with the longest day and shortest night next Saturday, while the opposite will happen on this day in the southern hemisphere, as they will have the shortest day and the longest night.' It is worth noting that the four astronomical seasons (winter, spring, summer, and autumn) occur due to the Earth's rotation in its orbit around the sun, and the Earth's axis being tilted at an angle of 23.5 degrees relative to its orbit. As is well known, after the summer solstice, the sun will begin its apparent movement towards the south again. The length of the day will shorten, while the length of the night will increase until day and night are equal on Monday, September 22, 2025. On this day, the sun will be directly overhead on the equator, marking the date of the autumnal equinox for residents of the Northern Hemisphere.
