Fun Facts
Summer Solstice How Much Do You Know
Do you know what the summer solstice is Friday June 20th and what does that actually mean? It means it is the astronomical first day of summer in the Northern Hemisphere.
Two additional sun facts are the kind of energy the Sun emits most strongly is not ultraviolet, gamma rays, or even visible light, it is infrared which is the kind we feel as heat. The Sun’s strongest visible emissions are green light which is what our eyes are most sensitive to.
Lets take a quiz to see what you know.
How often do solstices happen?
Where does the word solstice come from? (hint: Latin word)
Does the solstice occur at the same time round the world?
Is the June solstice always on June21?
Is the June Solstice the first day of summer in the Northern Hemisphere?
On the solstice the Earth is closest or farthest from the sun?
Does the earliest sunrise happen on the summer solstice?
Is the longest day of the year everywhere on Earth?
On the summer solstice the Sun reaches it’s Northern most point in the sky. What is this called? (hint Tropic of ?)
Why isn’t the summer solstice the hottest day of the year?
ANSWERS: 1. June and December. 2. Latin words sol meaning sun and sistere meaning to stay still. 3. The exact same time. 4. Usually 5. To astronomers yes, meteorologists, June 1. 6. Farthest 7. Nope. 8. It’s the winter solstice in the Southern Hemisphere. 9. The Tropic of Cancer. 10. It takes a few more weeks of the oceans and air to warm up!