SUMMER SOLSTICE

It may seem as though the summer has hardly started but the longest day will soon be upon us. June 21st is the date of the summer solstice - that day when, in the northern hemisphere, days are at their longest and nights their shortest. The Sun will rise at 0452 and not set until 2131.

The Earth, of course, rotates upon its axis. But the axis is inclined at an angle of 23 degrees from perpendicular to the plane of its orbit. The summer solstice marks that day of the year when the North Pole is tilted farthest towards the Sun. Consequently, the Sun reaches farthest north of the equator at just before 2 am on the 21st.

    Stonehenge will be the cente of Solstice celebrations (Picture: Pete Glastonbury)

The word solstice means ‘sun stands still’. So for a few days around the 21st June the Sun will appear to rise and set at exactly the same places. During the days the Sun will appear at its highest, around 62 degrees at noon.

Many ancient civilisations marked the Summer Solstice, seeing it as a time to celebrate the forces which controlled the natural cycle of life, death and rebirth. From Stonehenge to Peru and from China to Egypt, ancient civilisations erected structures to mark these important events.

Even today hundreds of people will be marking the event by visiting Stonehenge and watching the Sun rise over the Stone Circle. For those contemplating joining the druids, police and casual onlookers, you will need to be up very early. The Sun will rise at around 0452.

    Glastonbury Tor will be a popular site to watch the sun rise on the 21st (Picture: Lynne Newton)

Glastonbury Tor is another popular and equally spectacular site to watch the sunrise. Being slightly further west you be able to enjoy a slightly longer ‘lie-in’ in the morning, only needing to be in place by 0455.

Whether or not we will see the sunrise on Monday is another matter. But with high pressure expected to persist during next week the chances of a cloud-free sunrise are quite good.