Summer Solstice: Friday will be the longest day of the year. Here's why
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Get ready for later sunsets and longer days!
Friday marks the start of the summer solstice in the northern half of the globe, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac. The summer solstice is significant because during this time, the sun will reach its northernmost point in the sky.
Due to the tilt of Earth's axis, the sun usually does not rise and set in the same place on the horizon. However, during the solstice, the sun's apparent path will not change for some time.
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Friday also marks the astronomical start of summer in the Northern Hemisphere and the longest day of the year for those living in places north of the equator.
By contrast, those living in the Southern Hemisphere refer to it as the astronomical start of the winter season. This is because below the equator, the sun appears to be at its lowest point in the sky.
There is a difference between astronomical and meteorological summer.
Although Friday marks the start of astronomical summer for those in the Northern Hemisphere, meteorologists typically take into account the months and corresponding temperatures when dividing the year into four seasons.
The length of meteorological seasons is also more consistent and ranges between 90 to 92 days. In the Northern Hemisphere, meteorological summer consists of June, July and August.
The astronomical calendar is marked by the times when the sun goes over the equator. According to NOAA, since Earth's orbit around the sun is elliptical, the lengths of the astronomical seasons vary between 89 and 93 days.
The sunset times and length of daylight vary by location, depending on where you live. In San Diego, solar noon — or the time when the sun reaches its highest point in the sky — is expected to happen at 12:50 p.m., according to TimeAndDate.com.
The sun will rise in San Diego at 5:41 a.m. and set at 7:59 p.m., according to TimeAndDate.com.
This means there will be 14 hours, 18 minutes and 26 seconds of daylight.
After Friday, the sun will set later and later in the evening. The last 8 p.m. sunset in San Diego will be on July 5. After that, the sun will begin to set a few minutes earlier each evening.
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