In other words, the differences in the tilt mean that varying levels of radiation from the sun strike both hemispheres over the course of the year, and these differences in radiation cause the seasonal changes that we experience while the temperatures near the equator remain relatively constant. If you live in the Southern Hemisphere and will be welcoming the winter this June, pop over to have a look at our Winter Solstice Celebration Ideas.
This means that the sun reaches its highest point in the sky on the summer solstice, and is this is why it is also the longest day and the shortest night of the year. The reason for this cool fact is a super fun science lesson for kids. The summer solstice marks the longest day of the year. It is the peak of the Solar year, with the Sun literally at the height of its life-giving power.
After the summer solstice, the days continue to get shorter and shorter until the shortest day and the longest night of the year is reached on the winter solstice. The number of daylight hours will get shorter and shorter until the day of the autumnal equinox , when day and night are said to be equal. Once the equinox is reached, the days will continue to get shorter and shorter until winter solstice. This makes the winter solstice occurs the shortest day of the year.
Related: Outdoor Activities for Kids. The spring and fall equinoxes occur between the winter and summer solstices when day and night are approximately equal. Learn more about the spring and fall equinox at the links below! The Summer Solstice is always the longest day of the year, no matter which side of the equator you live upon. This means that if you live in the northern hemisphere, the longest day of the year will be on or around June And, if you live in the Southern Hemisphere, the longest day of the year will be on or around December Related: Summer Activities for Kids.
Many cultures have held solstice celebration rituals for thousands of years. Traditional summer solstice rituals and celebrations were influenced by the spiritual meaning of the summer solstice and other cultural influences. The summer solstice symbolizes ascension and the rebirth or return of the light. For these reasons, summer solstice traditions also include rituals to help release old, dark energy. Consider the grand scope of your life and spiritual path and note what is both in and out of alignment.
It is also a great idea to focus or meditate upon the light to create more abundance in your life. May you reap an abundant inner and outer harvest!
Traditionally people celebrated renewal, life, fertility, the potential for a good harvest, inner and outer abundance, ascension, and the full return of the light of the sun on the summer solstice. Today, people worldwide still celebrate the arrival of summer with outdoor feasts, singing, dancing, and bonfires. Scroll down to see a list of 18 summer solstice celebration ideas to help you join the fun!
Make the most of the longest day and the shortest night of the year by celebrating the summer solstice with the fun ideas below! Find one or two things that you would like to do on this list, or use it to make up your own solstice ritual or celebration. Make it a solstice tradition, or find something different each year. For more ideas, check out our summer bucket list seasonal activity guide. If you live in the southern hemisphere, hop over to have a look at how to celebrate the winter solstice.
Its morning rays shine directly into the center, the heart, of the monument. On the winter solstice , the effect is reversed, as the sunrise shines through the stones on the opposite side. Many experts believe that the ancient architects of Stonehenge purposefully placed each rock to showcase the solstices twice a year. Traditionally, hundreds of visitors travel to Wiltshire, England, on the solstice to witness this magnificent event.
Instead, the summer solstice at Stonehenge was live-streamed for the first time in history. Zongzi: Chen Zhao , Flickr. Diurnal and seasonal mood vary with work, sleep, and daylength across diverse cultures. Science New York, N. Rosenthal, N. The views expressed are those of the author s and are not necessarily those of Scientific American. Maria Konnikova is a science journalist and professional poker player.
Already a subscriber? Sign in. Thanks for reading Scientific American. Create your free account or Sign in to continue. See Subscription Options. Go Paperless with Digital. Jane Austen is replacing Charles Darwin-and that's a very good thing. Get smart. Sign up for our email newsletter. Sign Up. Read More Previous. Getty Images. What makes the solstice the longest day of the year?
Met office. This handy diagram can help you to get your head around all the astronomical seasons. Why doesn't the Sun set in some parts of the world? How is the summer solstice celebrated? More like this. Show more. Top Stories. In ancient China, the Summer Solstice was associated with feminine or yin forces.
According to Chinese tradition, the shortest shadow is found on the day of the Summer Solstice. In ancient Gaul, which encompasses modern-day France and some parts of its neighboring countries, the Midsummer celebration was called Feast of Epona. The celebration was named after a mare goddess who personified fertility and protected horses.
In ancient Germanic, Slav and Celtic tribes, pagans celebrated Midsummer with bonfires. After Christianity spread in Europe and other parts of the world, many pagan customs were incorporated into the Christian religion.
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