The Longest Day and the Shortest Night

Zhigulevsky nature reserve. Photo by: Anton Agarkov
Zhigulevsky nature reserve. Photo by: Anton Agarkov

June 21 is the June or summer solstice. This day is an important astronomical and geographical event. On this day, the Sun rising in the northeast and descending to the north-west makes the longest arc in the sky and it is at the largest distance from the celestial equator. As a result, we have the longest day and the shortest night in the Northern hemisphere of the Earth. The Sun will remain in this position for a few days, then it will begin to descend to the south and the daylight period will start decreasing.

According to experts, astronomical summer begins on this day. In the Northern Hemisphere, it usually lasts from June 21 to September 23. Leap years shift these dates by one day. Whereas in the Southern Hemisphere there is astronomical winter, and the shortest day and the longest night are recorded.

jvwodhmkvc4.jpg

Murmansk. Photo by: Ilya Melnikov
Murmansk. Photo by: Ilya Melnikov

This year the summer solstice was at 1:07 p.m. (Moscow time). In the Moscow region the daylight period will last 17 hours and 33 minutes. The white night period started in St. Petersburg, and the polar day - in the northern latitudes. 

For thousands of years, the summer solstice has been of great importance for people. This day was closely connected with the Sun cult. In Russia, people have traditionally celebrated the day of Ivan Kupala. In Latvia, they celebrate the days of Ligo, which are considered the official days off. Estonia celebrates Jan's Day, in Poland the holiday is known as Sobotki, in Ukraine - Kupailo, in Belarus - Kupalje. The Celtic peoples of Britain celebrated the middle of summer, the so-called Litu. In Yakutia they celebrate the holiday of summer Ysyakh, which is recognized as one of the most massive national holidays in Russia.