Facts about the Solstice

1. 06

   Tropical regions near the equator experience minimal seasonal daylight variation, with sunrise and sunset times shifting by only 20-30 minutes throughout the year rather than hours as at higher latitudes during solstices.

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2. 05

   During the June solstice, the sun reaches its highest point in the sky at approximately 23.5 degrees above the celestial equator, creating the maximum solar intensity for Northern Hemisphere locations.

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3. 04

   Ancient Roman agricultural calendars marked the solstices as critical dates for planting and harvesting, with the summer solstice occurring around June 21 determining optimal grain sowing windows.

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4. 03

   Earth's axial tilt of 23.5 degrees causes the June solstice to bring nearly 24 hours of daylight north of the Arctic Circle at 66.5 degrees latitude.

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5. 02

   Stonehenge's entrance aligns with the winter solstice sunrise at 51.2 degrees north latitude, suggesting ancient builders tracked seasonal celestial events around 3000 BCE.

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6. 01

   On December 21, 2024, Earth's Northern Hemisphere experiences its winter solstice, the year's shortest day with approximately 8 hours and 29 minutes of daylight.

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