The Summer Solstice Is Here!

A gif of images taken from space shows half of the Earth light by sunlight and half in darkness. As the gif runs, the illuminated half tilts counterclockwise as the seasons change. Credit: NASA

Today — June 20, 2024 — is the northern summer solstice. In the Northern Hemisphere, it marks the longest day of the year and the official start to summer.

A visualization of Earth’s geometry during the summer solstice shows the planet tilted at 23.5 degrees towards the Sun, which fills the right-hand side of the image. Credit: NASA

We experience changing day lengths throughout the year because Earth rotates on a tilted axis as it goes around the Sun. This means during half of the year the North Pole tilts toward the Sun and in the other half it points away.

Two depictions of Earth show how much sunlight the planet receives in each hemisphere during the June and December solstices. The Earths are connected along a white line showing the planet’s orbit. A yellow Sun dots the center. Credit: NASA/Genna Duberstein

Solstices occur twice per year, when Earth’s poles are tilted closest to and farthest from the Sun.

Crop circles in various shades of green are seen in this aerial image captured on June 24, 2001. The different shades of green are created by different crops like corn, wheat and sorghum, that were planted at different times. Credit: NASA/NASA Goddard Space Flight Center/Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry/Earth Remote Sensing Data Analysis Center/Japan Association of Real Options and Strategy, and U.S./Japan ASTER Science Team

The summer solstice is an important day for cultures around the world, especially at latitudes near the North Pole. Indigenous peoples have long marked the summer solstice with dancing and celebrations. Farmers have relied on the solstice to determine when to plant crops. The solstice’s timing also influenced the development of some calendars, like the ancient Roman calendar and the modern Gregorian calendar.

To mark the beginning of summer, here are four ways you can enjoy the Sun and the many wonders of space this season:

The rosy-tinted Moon rises through clouds as a Metrorail car crosses the Potomac River at the bottom of the image. Photo Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls

1. Check out the “Strawberry Moon”

June is the month of the Strawberry Moon. This name originates with the Algonquin tribes. June is when strawberries are ready for harvest in the northeastern United States, where the Algonquin people traditionally live. The full Strawberry Moon this year happens tomorrow night — June 21, 2024. Grab a pair of binoculars to see it in detail.

2. Celebrate the Heliophysics Big Year!

During the Heliophysics Big Year, we are challenging you to participate in as many Sun-related activities as you can. This month’s theme is performance art. We’re looking at how various kinds of performance artists are moved by the Sun and its influence on Earth. For example, check out this Sun song!

Find out how to get involved here: https://science.nasa.gov/sun/helio-big-year/.

The top half of the Sun in red and yellow fills the GIF. Material can be seen jetting off the Sun from the top right side. Credit: NASA

3. Listen to a space-cast

NASA has a ton of great space podcasts. Take a listen to Curious Universe’s Here Comes the Sun series to learn all about our closest star, from how it causes weather in space, to how you can help study it! For even more podcasts, visit our full list here: https://www.nasa.gov/podcasts.

Cookies shaped like the Sun and coated in yellow and orange frosting are shown sprinkled with chocolate chips that represent sunspots. Credit: NASA

4. Make sunspot cookies

The Sun sometimes has dark patches called sunspots. You can make your own sunspots with our favorite cookie recipe. Real sunspots aren’t made of chocolate, but on these sunspot cookies they are. And they're delicious.

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