Today is the longest day of the year. According to Sunrise-Sunset.org Apopkans will experience nearly 14 hours between sunrise and sunset (13:58:23 to be exact).
The name comes from the Latin "solstitium" meaning “sun stands still”. It happens because the sun stops its northward movement at the Tropic of Cancer and begins to move southward in the sky. The solstice occurs twice a year. In December the sun reaches its southernmost point (the Tropic of Capricorn), and begins to head north.
Check out your shadow at 1:00 PM today. That will be your shortest shadow of the year.
The 2016 Summer Solstice is special because it coincides with the Strawberry Moon. This is a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence.
The name comes from the Algonquin tribes, who named it for the fruit's ripening at this phase, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac. Europeans called the first full moon in June the rose moon.
The last strawberry moon occurring on the summer solstice occurred on June 22 1967. This will not happen again until June 21, 2062, a 46 year wait.
If you are interested in leaning more check out the Old Farmer's Almanac.
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