kesäpäivänseisaukseen

Kesäpäivänseisaus, often referred to as the summer solstice, marks the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. This astronomical event occurs around June 20th or 21st, when the North Pole is tilted most directly towards the sun. During the summer solstice, the sun reaches its highest point in the sky at solar noon.

The duration of daylight is at its maximum on this day. In regions north of the Arctic Circle, the sun may not set at all, leading to the phenomenon of the midnight sun. Conversely, in the Southern Hemisphere, the summer solstice occurs around December 21st or 22nd and marks the shortest day of the year.

Historically, the summer solstice has been celebrated in various cultures with festivals and rituals. Many ancient traditions associate the solstice with fertility, abundance, and the peak of summer. These celebrations often involve bonfires, gatherings, and observances that acknowledge the sun's power and the changing seasons. Astronomical observances, such as those at Stonehenge, are believed to have been aligned with the solstice. The term "solstice" itself comes from Latin, meaning "sun standing still," referring to the sun's apparent pause in its northward movement before beginning its descent in the sky.