Summer solstice

[Eric]

Did you know!!

Which is the longest day of the year?

It is the summer solstice, which normally occurs on 21st June.

However in 2008 the exact solstice will occur at 23:59 hours on 20th June.

In fact this is the first time since 1975 that it hasn't occurred on 21st June (it was 22nd June then).

:)

[horsey]

Now where did you get that info from:confused:

[Eric]

Sol + stice derives from a combination of Latin words meaning "sun" + "to stand still." As the days lengthen, the sun rises higher and higher until it seems to stand still in the sky.

As a major celestial event, the summer solstice results in the longest day and the shortest night of the year. The Northern Hemisphere celebrates in June, but the people on the Southern half of the earth have their longest summer day in December.

Depending on where you live, the summer solstice occurs this year —

* in the Northern Hemisphere on: June 20, 2008 at 7:59 PM EDT; and in the UK on June 20, 2008 at 23:59 UTC.

* in the Southern Hemisphere on: December 21, 2008 at 10:04pm AEST.

[sterling]

I'm very impressed by all this information. :D

[clairel]

In the Uk there is a big event at Stonehenge every year to celebrate the solstice, are there any events in Spain?

[mikeyj]

Hola,

No, but the Spanish are applying for it as another day as a public holiday!

Faul Pelz.

[El Jefe]

In the Uk there is a big event at Stonehenge every year to celebrate the solstice, are there any events in Spain?

Las hogueras de San Juan fiestas happen around the summer solistice. Bonfires and partying on the beaches are popular. Apparently Alicante's fiesta is the biggest...

Bonfires of San Juan, Alicante (http://hogueras-sanjuan.comunitatvalenciana.com/hogueras-san-juan-alicante.htm)

.

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

Ah well, I see the nights are drawing in now :rolleyes: