Latest news with #Stonehenge
The Guardian
43 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Thousands gather at Stonehenge for summer solstice celebration
Glen Michael Herbert, a woodcarver known as Herbie to his friends, summed up the draw of the summer solstice beautifully. 'It's a spiritual thing that people of all faiths and none can embrace,' he said. 'I think it's about feeling the wheel of the year turning, enjoying the light, appreciating nature. Most of all, coming together.' Herbert was one of the many thousands who had made their way to Wiltshire – he in his faithful van Radagast – to take in midsummer in and around Stonehenge. This one may be the most well attended for years as the solstice dawn takes place on Saturday and the weather is set pretty much perfect to observe the sun rising behind the heel stone – the ancient entrance to the monument from the ceremonial avenue – and watch its rays channel into the centre of the stone circle. There will be tedious practical challenges. National Highways has said the A303 and other roads around the sites will be very busy and urged visitors to use public transport or car share if possible. While English Heritage, which manages the site and offers controlled, free 'open access' to the stones for the solstice, said people would need to use an app to pay for parking. There is a poignancy, too, as it is 40 years since the Battle of the Beanfield, the notorious clash between police and new age travellers. Four decades on, there are still calls for an inquiry into the actions of Wiltshire police as they halted a free solstice festival at Stonehenge. Some still feel the anguish of the experience and do not like the way the 'open access' is policed and limited. Alan Lodge, who was there that day, said: 'They want to put Stonehenge in a glass case but they wouldn't do that with Salisbury Cathedral. People are allowed to go there in their thousands all year round.' English Heritage argues that it needs to strike a balance between opening the site and preserving it, while Wiltshire police say they have learned from what happened in 1985 and are working hard to ensure the solstice celebrations at Stonehenge go smoothly. The practicalities and lingering hurt aside, there was a great deal of joy in the air this week. At the Stonehenge Inn in Durrington, the manager, Dan King, said the pub and the adjacent camping and glamping field were fully booked. 'The combination of the weekend and this weather means it's going to be a busy one,' he said. Sign up to Headlines UK Get the day's headlines and highlights emailed direct to you every morning after newsletter promotion Hundreds of people had gathered at the Stonehenge Campsite at Winterbourne Stoke for Solsticefest 25, a four-day celebration involving music, crafts and healing. The site runs bus shuttles to Stonehenge for the solstice. At the campsite, as at the circle on solstice morning, an eclectic mix of people had gathered. Nicky Jasmine, from Manchester, a volunteer at the site, said everyone was welcome. 'We don't judge what people are wearing, we don't judge their beliefs.' There were pagans there, such as Adrian Thompson and Tina Lyons. Thompson, 62, a window blind fitter from Leicester, said the solstice was a chance to 'honour the ancestors' – and make new friends. Chris Richards, a 35-year-old carer from Wolverhampton, said a few drinks and a party was certainly an element of the experience, but he also loved 'cuddling up' with his friends at the circle at dawn. 'Even when it's hot like this, it can get chilly. We get into a ditch; the wind blows over you and the sun rises. It's wonderful. I'll always come here.'
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
16 of the 'sunniest' baby names for those born around summer solstice
Falling on Saturday 21 June, summer solstice is the longest day of the year and, for those who follow the astronomical calendar, the beginning of summer. Boasting the most hours of daylight and the shortest night, it's a date that's been celebrated throughout history. The stones of the ancient monument of Stonehenge are aligned to frame the rising sun on summer solstice, and the Celtic people used to light bonfires on the longest day to boost the sun's strength for the crop season. So if you're expecting a child around this date, which is also the birthday of Prince William, you may wish to honour the sun and the summer months with your baby name choice. "Choosing a name linked to the season your baby is born is really meaningful and summer is a particularly popular season," baby name consultant and author of Baby Name Envy, SJ Strum, tells Yahoo UK. "Summer is uplifting and evocative of family time and making memories, with summer-inspired names bringing that same sunny feel all year round." Sharing some summery choices she says, "Cove and Skye make gorgeous nature options that remind you of the beach, and Luca and Nell — meaning bright and shining — bring the long sunny days to life in a name. If you have a special holiday spot, like Orlando or Devon, that could make a great name with personal meaning, too." She also suggests looking to the highlights of your summer for inspiration. "Maybe Tor as a nod to Glastonbury, or Katie inspired by Wimbledon tennis star Katie Boulter." Whether it's a subtle nod to the season like Dahlia, then, or a more literal choice like August, there are lots of sunshine names to choose from. Here are some of our favourites: A name that brings to mind warm, sunny days, Summer is the 86th most popular girls' name in England and Wales, according to the latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), a choice that's unusual enough not everyone in your child's class will share it, but not so rare they'll need to spell it out at coffee shops. An English name, meaning gold, Goldie is reminiscent of sunshine. Most commonly used as a girls' name, the most famous Goldie is undoubtedly Goldie Hawn. It's also the name Harry Potter star Rupert Grint chose for his youngest daughter, Goldie G. Grint, born in April. Of Latin origin and relating to the sixth month of the year, the name June is also linked to the Roman goddess Juno, a protector of the nation and women, according to baby naming site The Bump. For names with a similar feel, try Junie or Juniper, meaning evergreen. An ancient Roman name meaning 'sun', per Nameberry, Aelia has the appeal of popular names like Ella and Isla but with a fresh, unusual spin. The birthstone for June, Pearl is derived from the Old English word 'perle', according to Referring to the gemstone and with connotations of the sea and purity, both Jack Osbourne and comedian Josh Widdicombe have daughters named Pearl. July's birthstone, Ruby, has English roots and stems from the Old French word rubeus, per Representing the red gemstone, it ranks at number 39 in the most popular girls' names in England and Wales. The name of an Irish goddess, often associated with sun and the summer, Áine – pronounced 'Awn-ya' means 'gracious' or 'merciful', according to Take name inspiration from a flower that blooms in the summer months, such as a Dahlia, named after the Swedish botanist Anders Dahl. Other summer flower names include Rose, Jasmine, Lavender and Daisy. The Irish word for August, Lúnasa has similarities to the popular girls' name Luna but with a fresh spin. Perfect for babies born in the last month of the summer. A name with strong, summer vibes, Sol comes from the Spanish word for 'sun'. It can also be used as a shortening of the Hebrew name Solomon, meaning 'peace', per BabyCentre. With Latin and Greek origins, the name Elio comes from the world Aelius and Helios, meaning 'sun'. It's a name that's found in a number of countries across the globe, including Italy and Spain. The name chosen by Princess Eugenie for her son, August derives from the Latin name Augustus and means 'great', according to The Bump. The month of August was named after the Roman emperor Augustus Octavian. Of Romanian origin, Sorin is derived from the word soare and means 'sun', per The Bump. It is found as both a surname and a first name, making it a strong, versatile choice. The fifth sign of the zodiac, Leo is the star sign for those born between 23 July and 22 August. A name of Latin origin, it means 'lion'. A popular choice in England and Wales, it currently sits at number five in the boys' name charts. While Sonny derives from Anglo Saxon and means 'son', per The Bump, it's a homonym for the word 'sunny' with all its summer connotations. With Hebrew origins, the name Samson, which can be shortened to Sam or Sammy, is derived from the word shemesh, meaning 'sun', per It's also linked to the biblical figure Samson, who was known for his strength. Read more about baby names: 11 celestial baby names as Coronation Street star takes inspiration for newborn (Yahoo Like UK, 3-min read) How the most popular baby girl names in the UK compare with the US (Yahoo Life UK, 4-min read) 9 old-fashioned baby names as Laura Kenny takes vintage inspiration for newborn (Yahoo Life, 6-min read)
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Science
- Yahoo
The summer solstice is today. Here's what to expect on the 1st day of summer.
Today will be the longest day of 2025 in the Northern Hemisphere, kicking off the coveted summer season. The 2025 summer solstice is expected to officially start on June 20 at 10:42 p.m. ET, according to the Farmers Almanac. It's at that time that the sun will be at its northernmost point for the Northern Hemisphere. Astronomers recognize the summer solstice as the first day of summer, although it's not necessarily considered the 'official' start of summer. 'The June solstice marks a precise moment in Earth's orbit — a consistent astronomical signpost that humans have observed for millennia,' NASA says. 'Ancient structures from Stonehenge to Chichén Itzá were built, in part, to align with the solstices, demonstrating how important these celestial events were to many cultures.' Thousands of visitors are expected to flock to areas throughout the Northern Hemisphere to celebrate through rituals: from Stonehenge in Wiltshire, England, to midsummer festivals across Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland. Here's what to know about the summer solstice. 'Solstice' comes from the Latin words 'sol' (meaning sun) and 'sistere' (to stand still), according to the Farmers' Almanac, and it describes the Earth's angle between the sun's rays. The summer solstice is the longest day of the year for the Northern Hemisphere because this is when the Earth's north pole is tilted toward the sun at its most extreme angle. Solstices only happen twice a year, the second time being when the Northern Hemisphere experiences its winter solstice in December, which is when the Earth's south pole is tilted toward the sun at its most extreme angle. On Friday, the Northern Hemisphere will experience its official first days of summer and longest hours of daylight for the entire year. Areas around the equator will experience sunlight for about 12 hours straight, according to while more mid-northern areas will get 15 hours. Since the Earth's north pole is tilted so close to the sun, areas north of the Arctic Circle will experience sunlight for 24 hours. The summer solstice can happen anytime between June 20 and June 22, depending on the time zone. While we measure years in 365 days — or 366 days for a leap year — astronomically speaking, Earth actually takes 365.242199 days to orbit the sun. This affects what time and day the summer solstice will actually occur. In a lot of Northern Hemisphere locations, areas will experience earlier sunrises before the official solstice day, and some later sunsets happen days after it, according to Time and Date, a global platform that analyzes time zone and astronomy data. The solstice day never being official or aligned every year is common since the sun's solar time is never precise or consistent with how our clocks and calendars operate. Astronomers have studied the sun's timing compared to how we measure time with clocks and calendars, and refer to the difference as 'the equation of time.' Solstices and equinoxes seem to kick off a change in the seasons on Earth, but there are significant differences between the two experiences. Just compare the 2025 spring equinox, which happened on March 20, to what is expected to happen during the upcoming summer solstice on Friday. Summer and winter solstices are when the Earth's tilt toward the sun is at its maximum, so the summer solstice is when the Northern Hemisphere experiences its longest day of sunlight and shortest night, and the winter solstice is when the Northern Hemisphere experiences its shortest day of sunlight and longest night. During an equinox, the Earth is not tilted anywhere directly, and the sun falls right over the equator, which means that there will be 'nearly' equal amounts of daylight and darkness at all latitudes, according to the National Weather Service.
Telegraph
3 hours ago
- Telegraph
When is the summer solstice? Date, time and how to celebrate
The summer solstice, otherwise known as the longest day of the year, falls on June 21, this Saturday. Also known as midsummer or the festival solstice, it is the day with the longest period of sunlight – boding well for anyone who suffers from seasonal affective disorder (SAD) or is wanting to soak up some extra vitamin D. Read on below to find out everything you need to know about summer, the solstice, traditions and the significance of Stonehenge. What time is summer solstice this year? In the northern hemisphere, the summer solstice takes place between June 20 and 22 each year. This year summer solstice falls on Saturday, June 21 at precisely3:42am in the UK. The sun will rise at 4:51am. The solstice officially marks the beginning of the astronomical summer, which ends when the autumn equinox falls on September 22. Day and night will be at almost equal length on this date, as the sun crosses the celestial equator and moves southward into the northern hemisphere. What happens during the summer solstice? There are two solstices each year – one in the winter and one in the summer. The summer solstice occurs when the tilt of Earth's axis is most inclined towards the sun and is directly above the Tropic of Cancer. Traditionally, the summer solstice period fell between the planting and harvesting of crops, leaving people who worked the land time to relax. This is why June became the traditional month for weddings. It might seem like a day to celebrate, but it actually signals the moment the sun's path stops moving northward in the sky, and the start of days becoming steadily shorter as the slow march towards winter begins. However, we won't notice the days becoming shorter for a while. The shortest day of the year is not until December 21, which is known as the winter solstice. At the winter solstice, the Earth's axis is tilted furthest away from the sun directly over the Tropic of Capricorn, bringing only a few hours of daylight. In the southern hemisphere the dates of the two solstices are reversed. The winter solstice occurs on the same day in June and the summer solstice the same day in December. The term 'solstice' derives from the Latin word 'solstitium', meaning 'sun standing still'. Some prefer the more teutonic term 'sunturn' to describe the event. Astrologers say the sun seems to 'stand still' at the point on the horizon where it appears to rise and set, before moving off in the reverse direction. Equinox and solstice explainer graphic Summer solstice traditions Over the centuries, the June solstice has inspired many festivals and midsummer celebrations involving bonfires, picnics, singing, watching the sun rise and Maypole dancing. Many towns and villages across Britain still mark the day. One ritual was the lighting of fires, heralding the start of shorter days, although this does not happen often anymore. The idea was that flames would keep the dark away. How to celebrate the summer solstice Stonehenge always welcomes an influx of garland-wearing hippies, druids and curious tourists who head to the mysterious stone circles and wait for the sun to appear. Crowds of around 10,000 traditionally greet the moment dawn breaks, as the sun rises behind the Heel Stone, the ancient entrance to the Stone Circle, with a mixture of cheers and silent meditation each June. The Golowan Festival showcases bright parades with festival-goers dancing the Serpent Dance to the sound of the Golowan Band. There are also Golowan workshops in the run-up to the festival, where those celebrating can engage in various activities such as costume, mask and headdress-making. Other activities to get you in the summer spirit include model boat making to sail at the boating pool event on Quay Fair Day, banner making, practising circus skills, and a photography town trail. Why is Stonehenge so significant to the summer solstice? Stonehenge in Amesbury, Wiltshire, is the most popular place for Pagans to celebrate the longest day because it famously aligns to the solstices. The rising sun only reaches the middle of the stones one day of the year when it shines on the central altar. Built in three phases between 3,000 B.C. and 1,600 BC, Stonehenge's exact purpose still remains a mystery. The stones were brought from very long distances – the bluestones from the Preseli Hills more than 150 miles away, and the sarsens probably from the Marlborough Downs, 19 miles to the north. The day marks the ancient middle of summer. It has significance for pagans who have always believed that midsummer day holds a special power. Midsummer's eve was believed to be a time when the veil between this world and the next was at its thinnest, and when fairies were thought to be at their most powerful. What is the connection to midsummer? Midsummer is a separate event to the summer solstice. This year, midsummer is to be held on Tuesday June 24. Referencing the time period between the middle of the summer, this celebration predates Christianity and is primarily held close to the summer solstice. Traditionally a quarter day - when servants were hired, school terms started and rents were due - midsummer bonfires are still lit on some hills in Cornwall. Bonfires were also typical of Golowan, the festival now celebrated in Penzance, Cornwall, as they signified the Feast of St John (Gol-Jowan).
CTV News
5 hours ago
- Science
- CTV News
Sunshine abounds as the summer solstice arrives
A man prepares to enter the water as the sun rises above the Miribel lake, outside Lyon, France, June 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani) Peak sunshine has arrived in the Northern Hemisphere — the summer solstice. Friday is the longest day of the year north of the equator, where the solstice marks the start of astronomical summer. It's the opposite in the Southern Hemisphere, where it is the shortest day of the year and winter will start. The word 'solstice' comes from the Latin words 'sol' for sun and 'stitium' which can mean 'pause' or 'stop.' The solstice is the end of the sun's annual march higher in the sky, when it makes its longest, highest arc. The bad news for sun lovers: It then starts retreating and days will get a little shorter every day until late December. People have marked solstices for eons with celebrations and monuments, including Stonehenge, which was designed to align with the sun's paths at the solstices. But what is happening in the heavens? Here's what to know about the Earth's orbit. Solstices are when days and nights are at their most extreme As the Earth travels around the sun, it does so at an angle relative to the sun. For most of the year, the Earth's axis is tilted either toward or away from the sun. That means the sun's warmth and light fall unequally on the northern and southern halves of the planet. The solstices mark the times during the year when this tilt is at its most extreme, and days and nights are at their most unequal. During the Northern Hemisphere's summer solstice, the upper half of the earth is tilted toward the sun, creating the longest day and shortest night of the year. This solstice falls between June 20 and 22. Meanwhile, at the winter solstice, the Northern Hemisphere is leaning away from the sun — leading to the shortest day and longest night of the year. The winter solstice falls between December 20 and 23. The equinox is when there is an equal amount of day and night During the equinox, the Earth's axis and its orbit line up so that both hemispheres get an equal amount of sunlight. The word equinox comes from two Latin words meaning equal and night. That's because on the equinox, day and night last almost the same amount of time — though one may get a few extra minutes, depending on where you are on the planet. The Northern Hemisphere's spring — or vernal — equinox can land between March 19 and 21, depending on the year. Its fall – or autumnal — equinox can land between Sept. 21 and 24. On the equator, the sun will be directly overhead at noon. Equinoxes are the only time when both the north and south poles are lit by sunshine at the same time. What's the difference between meteorological and astronomical seasons? These are just two different ways to carve up the year. While astronomical seasons depend on how the Earth moves around the sun, meteorological seasons are defined by the weather. They break down the year into three-month seasons based on annual temperature cycles. By that calendar, spring starts on March 1, summer on June 1, fall on Sept. 1 and winter on Dec. 1. ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
