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What is the solstice?
June 21, the first day of summer, is the longest day of the year -- the most daylight from sunrise to sunset. The name comes from Latin: sol, meaning sun, and sistere, to stand still.
When does summer start?
Summer's official, astronomical start is at 2:06 p.m. today.
How many daylight hours are there during the summer solstice?
According to the Weather Channel, the sun rises today at 5:39 a.m.; the sun sets at 8:29 p.m. That's just shy of 15 hours of sunlight.
What makes the day so long?
During the summer solstice, the North Pole is at its closest tilt to the sun. That angle is what makes the sun's path through the sky extra long.
According to NASA, in the Arctic Circle, the sun doesn't set at all on the solstice. And on the other side of the world, at the South Pole, it is pitch dark, and the sun will not rise all day.
Who celebrates the solstice?
Many people believe that Stonehenge, the monolithic circle in England's countryside, was a monument to the solstices made by ancient people from the region, possibly Druids, around 3100 B.C. People still flock to the site today to celebrate --at least according to Stonehenge's official Web site, http://www.stonehenge.co.uk.
How's summer looking so far this year?
The high in Salisbury for today is forecast at 84 -- the average for June 21. The low is 66. And the chance of precipitation is a scant 10 percent. The UV index is very high this time of year, and today is expected to be at 10, the highest level --so be wary of the potential damage of many hours of strong sunlight.
http://www.delmarvanow.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070621/NEWS01/706210428/1002
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