On Thursday 20 June, at 21:51 BST, the summer solstice will occur in the Northern Hemisphere. Solstices (meaning 'the Sun standing still') mark the two longest days of the year - 20 or 21 June in the Northern Hemisphere, 21 or 22 December in the Southern Hemisphere - when the Sun is furthest north or south of the equator and highest in the sky at midday. Celebrated by cultures on either side of the equator for thousands of years, a summer solstice is when that hemisphere is tilted towards the Sun, a by-product of Earth's rotational axis being tilted by 23.4°. As well as being an important marker of Earth's journey around the Sun, the summer solstice has real-world consequences, marking a period of the most sunlight in a day and, therefore, heat: astronomical summer.
Here are 12 fascinating ancient places in both hemispheres that align with the solstice, each with a unique story and cultural significance. World-famous or less well-known, all offer a glimpse into the rich history of humanity's relationship with the Sun and the sky.
1. Stonehenge, Wiltshire, England
Stonehenge is perhaps the world's most famous monument that, seemingly, aligns with the rising Sun on the date of the summer solstice. The stone circle is thought to have been built around 2500 BC, but the exact purpose of this amazing structure is unknown. It may have been a burial site, a calendar or an astronomical observatory. What is known is that on the date of the summer solstice, the Sun rises just to the left of the Heel Stone, a single block of sarsen stone standing outside the circle's entrance. It may have had another stone beside it, framing the solstice sunrise. About 8,000 people attend the solstice sunrise each year. It's free to get in, but English Heritage also livestreams the magical moment online.
2. Chaco Canyon, New Mexico, USA
This story is from the June 2024 edition of BBC Sky at Night Magazine.
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This story is from the June 2024 edition of BBC Sky at Night Magazine.
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