June Solstice – with first Annual Solar Eclipse of 2020

Today, we are witnessing June Solstice 2020 along with the rare combination of nature where longest day on earth is set to witness the Annular Solar Eclipse. This rare combination will reappear only after 19 years that is on 21st June 2039. The First Solar eclipse of 2020 is setting up a remarkable Sunday with other events like Father’s Day, International Music Day, International Yoga Day.

 

June Solstice is one of the special astronomical event where day is set to be longest because of earth axis rotation and depending on the year/location date of June Solstice varies from 20th to 22nd June. For Indian subcontinent, it is 21st June 2020 to get the most light of the Sun for the day. 

 

Solstice happens twice in a year. In the month of June, the sun’s zenith is at its too far from the equator. The Earth’s North Pole tilts about 23.4 degrees towards SUN. This Solstice is also known as ‘Northern Solstice’. It occurs when Sun is goring through the Tropic of Cancer line in the Northern Hemisphere.

 

Solstice word, is derived from a Latin word “Solstitium”. It is a common feature of nature’s cycle and it’s meaning is Sun-Stopping. On 21st June, our earth horizon gets witness the Sun’s stops and start reverses direction after this day. This day also makes the first day of astronomical summer. On this day Sun actually touched the North East Boundaries to rise, also when it sets touch the North-West direction boundaries. 

 

Solstice and Southern Hemisphere

 

On the other side today, Southern Hemisphere got a shortest day of the year. It is accounted as first day of astronomical winter.

 

Solstice is special for many reasons and one of the feature is Midnight Sun or Polar Night. During the June solstice, the midnight sun is visible (weather permitting) throughout the night, in all areas from just south of the Arctic Circle to the North Pole.

 

Solstice is similar to Equinoxes where earth changes it’s their axis rotation. Read blog ‘March Equinoxes‘ for more details.

 

Read other articles related to June Solstice:

1. Traditions and Holidays Around the June Solstice

2. Eleven things about the June Solstice