Summer Solstice 2021 On June 21: Everything To Know About The Longest Day Of The Year

June 21 is the longest day of 2021 for those living north of the Equator. This day is known as the summer solstice, the longest day of the summer season. It occurs when the sun is directly over the Tropic of Cancer, or more specifically right over 23.5 degree north latitude. This took place around 9:02 am on June 21 (Indian Standard Time). Since the earth rotates on its axis, the Northern Hemisphere gets more direct sunlight between March & September over the course of a day. This also means people living in the Northern Hemisphere experience summer during this time. The rest of the year, the Southern Hemisphere gets more sunlight. During the solstice, the Earth’s axis, around which the planet spins, completing one turn each day, is tilted in a way that the North Pole is tipped towards the sun & the South Pole is away from it. The solstice, as NASA puts it, is that instant in time when the North Pole points more directly toward the sun that at any other time during the year. Solstice means “sun stands still” in Latin. Watch the video to know more.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 21, 2021 01:09 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).