Watch on Demand


What to know about the Summer Solstice

What's the deal with that whole Stonehenge thing?

What to know about the Summer Solstice

What's the deal with that whole Stonehenge thing?

What to know about the Summer Solstice

What's the deal with that whole Stonehenge thing?

The Summer Solstice is here! But, before you start celebrating, find out a little about what it is.


What is it?

The Summer Solstice is linked to why we see more daylight in the summer and less during the winter months -- Earth orbits the sun on a tilted axis.

As it spins, different areas receive different amounts of sunlight during the day.

Here in the Northern Hemisphere, we hit our “peak” sunlight when the sun is directly overhead the Tropic of Cancer, located 23.5 degrees north of the equator. That is when the Summer Solstice occurs.

The summer solstice’s counterpart – the winter solstice—takes place on December 21. This is the shortest day of the year.

Where did the term “solstice” come from?

Solstice comes from the Latin “solstitium.” This breaks down even further to “sol” meaning “sun” and “stit” meaning “stopped.”

Essentially, the solstice marks the point where the sun “stops” at its highest point or lowest point in the sky before moving back in the opposite direction.

When is it?

It is predicted to occur at exactly 12:24 a.m. ET on June 21. However, because it is at a specific time other time zones will experience it at different times.

CDT: June 20, 11:24 PM.

MDT: June 20, 10:24 PM

PDT: June 20, 9:24 PM

How much sun will I get where I live?

Easy answer? The further north you are, the more rays you’ll catch. In fact, in northern Alaska, the sun won’t set at all.

For a more specific number, check out this graphic made by Brian Brettschneider. He used information from the NOAA to create a handy-dandy map.

Does this mean it’s going to be really hot?

Nope. Or, at least, it won’t be the fault of the solstice. NOAA explains:


This map shows when you can expect temperatures to peak in your area.

What’s that whole thing with Stonehenge?

Thousands travel to Stonehenge in Wiltshire, England, to watch the sun rise during the summer solstice.

When the sun comes up, the rays shine straight through what is called the “slaughter stones” to strike the “altar stone” in the center. This creates the illusion that the sun is balancing on the stone.

This feeds into the theory that Stonehenge was built to mark the solstices and equinoxes.

Marking a happy occasion!

You may have been under the impression that summer has already begun. But, you’d be wrong. While warm temperatures have settled in over much of the United States, summer doesn’t officially begin until the Summer Solstice.

The Weather Channel, NOAA and NASA contributed to this report