THE SUMMER SOLSTICE is the northernmost extreme of the Sun’s annual passage through the zodiac. In 2020, the Sun reaches this point at precisely 5:44 PM EDT on Saturday, June 20. The day when this event occurs is also commonly called “the summer solstice,” which is “the first day of summer” and “the longest day of the year.” On the summer solstice, since the Sun rises and sets at its northernmost extreme, it spends the maximum amount of time above the horizon of any day of the year in the northern hemisphere. At latitude 40 degrees north, near New York, Philadelphia, Cleveland, Chicago, and San Francisco, there is 15 hours of daylight and only 9 hours of nighttime. For a detailed explanation of the solstice and the Sun’s annual cycle, check out our Signs & Seasons curriculum => https://classicalastronomy.com/products/
