Summer Solstice

Today - technically yesterday - is the Summer Solstice. For some reason unknown to me, my dad felt I needed to learn this as I was growing up. Here are a few of the facts I learned from Dad. Some of it actually sunk in after the repeated mentions of it. LOL

Solstice, from the Latin for sun stands still, in astronomy, either of the two points on the ecliptic that lie midway between the equinoxes (separated from them by an angular distance of 90°).

At the solstices the sun's apparent position on the celestial sphere reaches its greatest distance above or below the celestial equator, about 23 1/2° of arc. At the time of summer solstice, about June 22, the sun is directly overhead at noon at the Tropic of Cancer.

In the Northern Hemisphere the longest day and shortest night of the year occur on this date, marking the beginning of summer. At winter solstice, about December 22, the sun is overhead at noon at the Tropic of Capricorn; this marks the beginning of winter in the Northern Hemisphere. For several days before and after each solstice the sun appears to stand still in the sky, i.e., its noontime elevation does not seem to change from day to day.

Interesting, yes? I thought so. On a side note, the movie A Midsummer Night's Dream takes place during the Summer Solstice. Shakespeare was inspired by the merrymaking and tomfoolery that traditionally took place during the festival of Midsummer Night. Hence, a fantastic story for us.