Summer solstice a.k.a. the longest day of the year is here

Did you know that today — Monday, June 21 — will be the “summer solstice,” a.k.a. the longest day of the year?

According to IMReady, the sun rose exactly at 5:28 a.m. (Metro Manila time) and it’s expected to set at 6:28 p.m. this evening.

The summer solstice is the day when the sun travels its longest path through the sky and reaches its highest point.

According to PAGASA’s astronomical diary, “Philippine nights are at their shortest and daytimes are at their longest during the Summer Solstice, which falls on June 21 at 11:32 A.M. (Philippine Standard Time).”

“This is the time when the Sun attains its greatest declination of +23.5 degrees and passes directly overhead at noon for all observers at latitude 23.5 degrees North, which is known as the Tropic of Cancer,” the agency said.

“This event marks the start of the apparent southward movement of the Sun in the ecliptic,” it added. — Margaret Claire Layug/LA, GMA News