June 21st: Summer Solstice, 2022
1. What is the Summer Solstice?
– The longest day of the year
– The start of summer in the Northern Hemisphere
2. What does “solstice” mean?
– It is Latin for “sun-stopping”
– The sun appears to stop and reverse direction in the sky after this day
3. What actually happens to the sun on this day?
– It is at its annual highest point in the sky
– The sun’s zenith is furthest away from the equator
4. Why is the solstice important?
– It was a visible calendar sign to help ancient agricultural societies
– People often used the passage of the sun to track time
5. Why is Stonehenge associated with the Solstice?
– Many people believe Stonehenge was created as a sun temple
– The stones are lined up to capture the sun at specific points on certain times of the year (the Solstice being the most important)
6. What else happens on this day?
– Your shadow at noon is the shortest it will be all year
– You are most likely to get sunburn on this particular day
Enjoy your summer!
(Photo: Public domain)
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