Summary
- The summer solstice marks the longest day of the year, which means longer days and shorter nights in the Northern Hemisphere.
- Unlike meteorological seasons that are equally divided into three months, astronomical seasons start and end in the third week of March, June, September and December.
- Although summer starts with the start of June, scientists say astronomically the summer starts from the third week of June, when the sun is directly on the Tropic of Cancer.
- Countries that are very cold, such as Canada, Russia, Japan, and northern European countries, wait for the summer season. It is because many of these countries have long winters, and people have limited time to go out and enjoy the weather.
What is the Summer Solstice?
The summer solstice falls on June 20, 21 or 22 depending on the year. This marks the longest day of the year, which means longer days and shorter nights in the Northern Hemisphere.
This means after this day, days gradually start getting shorter.
Interestingly, the opposite phenomenon goes on in the Southern Hemisphere, which means days start becoming longer and nights start getting shorter.
Our planet revolves on its axis once a day, creating the cycle of day and night. Simultaneously, the Earth orbits the Sun once a year.
However, the axis of rotation of the Earth does not coincide with the axis of motion around the Sun. Instead, it is slightly inclined at 23.44 degrees.
This tilt means that for one-half of the year, the Earth’s north side is slightly slanted towards the Sun and the south side is tilted away.
Why is the Summer Solstice Called the First Day of Summer?
Although summer starts with the start of June, scientists say astronomically the summer starts from the third week of June, when the sun is directly on the Tropic of Cancer.
There are meteorological seasons, and then there are astronomical seasons. The meteorological seasons are divided into 4 seasons of equal three months.
For instance, spring is from March to May, summer is from June to August, autumn is from September to November, and finally, winter is from December to February.
However, the astronomical seasons are not equally divided into three months. The astronomical calendar is divided into solstices and equinoxes.
The spring equinox falls around March 21, the summer solstice falls around June 21, the autumnal equinox falls around September 21, and the winter solstice falls around December 22.
In short, astronomical seasons are determined by the Earth’s location relative to the sun, whereas meteorological seasons are determined by the annual temperature cycle.
Summer Solstice: Why Do People Love Summers in the Northern Hemisphere?
There are many countries in the Northern Hemisphere that are either cold or very cold during the winter season. Not all the countries in the Northern Hemisphere are cold; there are also some very hot countries too, such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, etc.
Countries that are very cold, such as Canada, Russia, Japan, and northern European countries, wait for the summer season.
It is because many of these countries have long winters, and people have limited time to go out and enjoy the weather.
For instance, in countries like Canada that have harsh winters, people wait for summers to enjoy outdoor activities such as outdoor games, picnics, barbecues, etc.
Summers in Canada also attract a large number of foreign tourists. The government of Canada is targeting to bring Canada among the top 10 global tourist destinations in the world.
Canada’s tourist industry is a major driver of economic growth. It boosts economic potential in a wide range of industries, including retail, hospitality, transportation, arts & culture, and entertainment.
In Canada, the tourism industry has historically been the country’s primary service export, generating $300 million per day and accounting for 2.1% of the country’s GDP in 2019.
With a diverse and inclusive workforce, it accounted for roughly one out of every ten jobs across the country, making it a vital source of employment for Canadians.
Conclusion
The summer solstice is that time of the year that brings happiness and joy. It is the time when you can go out for outdoor activities and plan for outdoor games. Enjoy this time with your family and friends. Happy Summers!
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