Latest news with #monuments
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Sunshine abounds as the summer solstice arrives
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.


The Independent
11 hours ago
- Science
- The Independent
Sunshine abounds as the summer solstice arrives
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. 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.

Associated Press
12 hours ago
- Science
- Associated Press
Sunshine abounds as the summer solstice arrives
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.
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Holyoke police to cite driver who heavily damaged JFK memorial while driving under the influence
HOLYOKE — A driver who crashed into John F. Kennedy Memorial Plaza early Sunday morning, heavily damaging several monuments, will be charged with driving under the influence of drugs and destruction of property. Officers responding to reports of the 4:25 a.m. crash at Suffolk, Sycamore and Appleton streets found the 26-year-old driver and a passenger inside the vehicle. Firefighters arrived shortly after and helped remove the two from the car, Police Chief Brian Keenan said. 'The driver and passenger were administered Narcan and transported to the hospital to evaluate possible injuries,' he said. Narcan is used to reverse opioid overdoses. The driver, who is from Springfield, will be cited for the crimes. His name will not be released until charges are leveled, Keenan said. At least four monuments were toppled, several were smashed, and the lawn and other concrete areas were damaged. The Department of Public Works has been notified, he said. Read the original article on MassLive.


The Sun
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Moment Brit pole dancers issue grovelling apology after avoiding jail over scantily-clad display at hallowed Greek site
THREE Brit pole dancers have apologised after staging a raunchy on-cam display at a Greek monument. The Brits were accused of violating archaeological law and degrading the surrounding area after the racy shoot outside the Old Palace of St. Michael and St. George in Corfu. 5 5 The hallowed palace is a 200-year-old former royal residence and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Two of the Brits who organised the photo shoot were found guilty of degrading the cultural landscape of Corfu. They were handed a six-month suspended prison sentence. But the court came to the conclusion that the five Brit women were innocent of the offence of violating Archaeological Law, therefore acquitting three of them. This is because there was no evidence that material damage was caused to the monument. Three of the Brits were captured walking out of the court with solemn looks on their faces before being asked by a reporter how they felt. One Brit - who looked to have been crying - said they are "sorry to everyone we offended and let down" both "in Greece and back home". She added, before issuing a thanks to the Judge: "We deeply regret what we [did]." The second Brit took a large gulp before issuing her own apology "for causing any offence," stating that the women "understand how important" the monuments are to Greek people - but "didn't realise". She concluded: "We could not be any more sorry and we're just glad that justice has been served today." Fury as 'Brit' pole-dancers swing half-naked from Greek landmark as local says 'would they do it at Buckingham Palace?' The third woman also said sorry "to have caused such an offence and to have caused such trouble" and that they're happy that the judge "gave us justice today". Shocking footage shared by Greek media showed two women in raunchy red lingerie posing on a pole in front of fellow dancers. Another clip captures a Brit in a black thong leotard being cheered on by a woman shouting: 'Yes Shelly, nice!' The women have reportedly visited Corfu multiple times to take part in dance events. Dozens of furious residents slammed the shoot after it went viral online, branding it 'disgraceful'. One person fumed: ' The Corfu Palaces: they once hosted royals. Now, pole dancing. 'If Lord Byron saw pole dancing at the Palaces, he would have returned to England without a second thought.' Another commenter raged: 'Would they do the same at Buckingham [Palace]? Of course, here we have been the inferior in Europe for years on vacation and binge. [sic]' According to local media, a pole dancing school in the UK was behind the ordeal. The school organises a vacation with intensive pole dancing seminars in Corfu every year in the last two weeks of May, ANT1 reported. The Palace and site of the risky photoshoot was commissioned by British Lord High Commissioner Sir Thomas Maitland in the early 19th century. It is one of the best-preserved examples of Regency architecture outside the UK and now houses the Museum of Asian Art. The Directorate of the Museum reportedly had no idea the shoot was happening, according to Protothema. 5 5