Summer Solstice

Winter Solstice | Summer Solstice

As the Earth travels around the Sun in its orbit, the north to south position of the Sun changes over the course of the year due to the changing orientation of the Earth's tilted rotation axes. The dates of maximum tiltof the Earth's equator correspond to the Summer Solstice and Winter Solstice.

What are Solstices?

Solstices occur when the sun is at its greatest distance from the equator.

Where does the name 'Solstice' come from?

Solstice is derived from two Latin words: "sol" meaning sun, and "sistere" to cause to stand still.The perception that the "sun stands still" comes from the shadow on the sun dial changing minimally on and near the solstices.

How many times a year does a Solstice occur?

Solstices occur twice a year.

When are the Solstice in 2009 and 2010?

Summer Solstice 21 Jun 2010 Winter Solstice 21 Dec 2010

What is the Winter Solstice?

The Winter Solstice, also called 'Yule', marks the first day of the season of winter. It falls on or near 21 December. (In the southern hemisphere, the Winter solstice is celebrated in June when the northern hemisphere celebrates the Summer solstice)

The Winter solstice is the time in December when the sun reaches its southern most latitude and therefore appear at its lowest in the sky at noon. The Winter solstice is the shortest day.

Cooler Season
The North Pole leans away from the sun.

Higher and higher
After the Winter solstice the Sun follows a higher and higher path through the sky each day until it is in the sky for exactly 12 hours. This occurs on the Spring Equinox.After the Spring Equinox, the Sun still continues to follow a higher and higher path through the sky, with the days growing longer and longer, until it reaches it highest point in the sky on the Summer Solstice.
The sun is higher in the sky during the summer months.

What is the Summer Solstice?

The Summer solstice, also called 'Litha', marks the first day of the season of summer. It falls on or near 21 June. (In the southern hemisphere, the Summer solstice is celebrated in December when the northern hemisphere celebrates the Winter solstice)

High Sun
The Summer solstice is the time when the sun reaches its northern most latitude and therefore appear at its highest in the sky at noon. At this time of year we have the longest day.

Warmer weather
The North Pole leans more directly toward the sun than it does on any other day of the year.

Lower and Lower
After the summer solstice the Sun follows a lower and lower path through the sky each day until it reaches the point where it is in the sky for exactly 12 hours again. This is theAutumnEquinox.After the Autumn Equinox the Sun will continue to follow a lower and lower path through the sky and the days will grow shorter and shorter until it reaches its lowest path on the Winter Solstice.

Glorious lst June

THE GLORIOUS FIRST OF JUNE 1794

A Grenadier officer of the Regiment, congratulating a Naval officer on the victory.

The Queen’s (Second) Royal Regiment of Foot began service on board the Fleet in 1793, shortly after Revolutionary France declared war on Great Britain. Detachments of the Queen’s were serving in Lord “Black Dick” Howe’s flagship, HMS Queen Charlotte and also on board HMS Russell, Defence, Royal George and Majestic. The total battalion strength was fifteen officers and four hundred other ranks.

The Battle of the Glorious First of June took place in the North Atlantic, four hundred miles west of Ushant, off the Irish coast. It was the first decisive meeting between the fleets of Britain and the French Republic. Its main effect was on the Nation’s morale, as the victory removed any fear of French invasion. The French did, however, manage to slip a vital grain convoy from America into France, whilst the fleets were engaged.

On the morning of the Battle, the enemy fleet was seen about six miles off on the starboard bow steering in line of battle on the port tack. The British fleet formed in line abreast and at 9 30am, the French opened fire. It was said that there could never have been such a noble sight than seeing twenty-five British line of battle ships intending to pass through the French line of twenty-six. An hour later, close action began in the centre, as Lord Howe in HMS Queen Charlotte engaged the French Admiral Villaret in the Montagne. Most of the French shot was high, but the British fire raked the French through the stern and then engaged the enemy on the leeward side before her guns could properly be brought to bear. The battle went on until one o’clock in the afternoon; seven enemy ships were captured and the French suffered 3000 killed and wounded. British losses were 1000.

A representation of the death of Lieutenant Neville on HMS Queen Charlotte.

The detachments fought well, though six private soldiers and Lieutenant Neville were killed. The Regiment was later allowed the unusual distinction of wearing the Naval Crown superscribed 1 JUNE 1794 on its Colours; a distinction which continued and remains with its successors. A strong link was also forged with the Royal Navy, continuing today with the Portsmouth base, HMS Excellent, which inherited the traditions of the Queen Charlotte.

Flaming June

Artist	Frederic Leighton
Type	Oil on poplar
Dimensions	120 cm × 120 cm (47 in × 47 in)
Location	Ponce Museum of Art, Ponce,Puerto Rico

Summer Time

Summer time and the going is easy.......

Summer Solstice

The day the north pole is nearest the Sun is called the 'summer solstice'. Looking from Earth, the Sun reaches its highest point in the sky all year. This means it takes the most amount of time to cross the sky. So this is the longest day of the year. Its called the 'summer solstice' and happens around 21 June. Astronomers call this the start of summer and after this date, days start getting shorter.


Stonehenge Summer Solstice

A celebration of life - standing amongst the towering stones with 30,000 others watching the sun rise on the magical midsummer morning.It's great to be able to stand inside the sacred circle of sarsens as our ancestors did as dawn appears over the Heel Stone - much better than from behind a fence. A traditional way to celebrate the longest day of the year.There's an amazing communal excitement at the solstice sunrise as the spiritual ancestry of this prehistoric temple is celebrated - with whoops of joy, drumming, horn blowing, cheering and applause...it makes you feel good to be alive.This re-enacting of an ancient ceremony brings a mystical link, stretching right back through the aeons of time, producing almost a celebratory communion with our ancestors.The mighty stones seem to breathe...


Midsummer Day

With the coming of Christianity, many midsummer celebrations were moved to the feast of St John the Baptist (24th June). St John baptised people outdoors in the River Jordan, so there have always been open air celebrations on his day. Midsummer Fires In some places, people light fires on midsummer eve. They stay up until midnight to welcome in midsummer day, and, when the fires die down, men run or jump through the embers to bring good luck. Don't try this at home!

Midsummer Magic

People thought that midsummer was a time of magic and wonder-working. Evil spirits were said to appear, and people gathered herbs and flowers to protect themselves. One of the most powerful was the plant known as 'chase-devil', which we now call St John's Wort. People used it in potions, and wove the flowers into garlands to decorate their houses or protect their farm animals. They believed that the herb could shield them from the power of evil spirits and could help them foretell the future. Herbalists still use St John's Wort in their medicines today.