Summer Solstice

Happy Summer Solstice, everyone!

What is the Summer Solstice? Well, basically on this day, one of Earth's poles is tilting the furthest towards the sun. The summer solstice happens every year. From the perspective of those on Earth, the Sun is in the highest position possible in the sky. In the Northern Hemisphere, where I live at, the Earth's maximum tilt happens towards the sun, as shown here.

In the Southern Hemisphere (think places like Australia and New Zealand), their summer solstice will come in December. Now, I know what you're thinking. "Wait, tilting towards the Sun?" Well, yes. You see, as the Earth orbits the sun, the planet itself spins around at a slight angle. This angle is known as axial tilt, or obliquity. 

This tilt can change as the Earth undergoes its orbit. It's why, from the perspective of the Northern Hemisphere, days get longer in summer, and the nights get longer in winter. the tilt causes different parts of the earth to get less or more sunlight at different times. 

Many cultures all over the world see these solstices as significant. For example, in Sweden, this is considered a major holiday and the country closes down, like on Christmas.

So, yeah. The summer solstice is pretty cool. Hope it was a good day for you!