Context:
21st June has been marked as the day of the summer solstice in the northern hemisphere of the world.
The summer solstice is celebrated as the beginning of summer, or midsummer when one of Earth’s poles is at its maximum tilt towards the sun.
What is the Summer Solstice?
- Marks the longest day of the year, when the sun reaches its highest point in the sky.
- During the solstice, the Earth’s axis is tilted in a way that the North Pole is tipped towards the sun and the South Pole is away from it.
- Typically, this imaginary axis passes right through the middle of the Earth from top to bottom and is always tilted at 23.5 degrees with respect to the sun.
- At the Arctic Circle, the sun never sets during the solstice.
- The amount of light received by a specific area in the Northern Hemisphere during the summer solstice depends on the latitudinal location of the place.
Impacts of Summer Solstice:
- During this, countries in the Northern Hemisphere are nearest to the Sun and the Sun shines overhead on the Tropic of Cancer (23.5° North).
- The Earth rotates on its axis, causing the Northern Hemisphere to receive more direct sunlight between March and September.
- The amount of incoming energy the Earth receives from the sun on this day is 30% higher at the North Pole than at the Equator.
Source: Indian Express
Previous Year Question
On June 21 every year, which of the following latitude(s) experience(s) a sunlight of more than 12 hours ?
1. Equator
2. Tropic of Cancer
3. Tropic of Capricorn
4. Arctic Circle
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2024 Prelims]
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 3 and 4
(d) 2 and 4
Answer: (d)
Explanation:
On 21st June, the Northern Hemisphere is tilted towards the sun. The rays of the sun fall directly on the Tropic of Cancer. As a result, these areas receive more heat. The areas near the poles receive less heat as the rays of the sun are slanting. The North Pole is inclined towards the sun and the places beyond the Arctic Circle experience continuous daylight for about six months. Since a large portion of the Northern Hemisphere is getting light from the sun, it is summer in the regions north of the equator. The longest day and the shortest night at these places occur on 21st June.
