From the Farmer's Almanac: The Summer Solstice
This year, the solstice brings summer on Wednesday, June 20, at 7:09 P.M. (ET).
The word solstice is from the Latin solstitium, from sol (Sun) and stitium (to stop), as the Sun appears to stop at this time (and again at the winter solstice).
Did you know that the solstices and the equinoxes this year occur earlier than in any year since 1896? This is because the year 2000, which was an “extra” leap year (the first time in four centuries that such a change was made), combined with 2012, a routine leap year, to create a tweak of time that jump-starts the seasons this year.
We say, Enjoy every extra minute of summer!
–The Old Farmer’s Almanac - for more information on the solstice.
On June 20th, 2012, if you are standing on the Tropic of Cancer you will have no shadow because the sun is directly overhead.
If you are sailing in Alaska, Spitsbergen or Sweden the sun will never set - you can sail for 24 hours in the daylight.
If you're sailing in the Clipper Round the World race you are right now at 43.42.25N 44.3.23W with about 1587nm to the finish in Derry-Londonderry.
In Sweden you're enjoying one of the best celebrations of the year - Midsommar - and also Summer Saisltice.
The Southern Hemisphere is marking the shortest day of the year but there are sailors signed up and celebrating in Australia - they know how to do it!
The Clipper Racers are far up in the North Atlantic on the solstice challenged by light airs and competitive neighbors!
Some comparitive daylight hours:
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Sunrise and sunset times in major world cities on the summer solstice. While locations in the Northern Hemisphere have their longest daylight period, cities in the Southern Hemisphere such as Sydney, Australia have their shortest. (Data source: timeanddate.com)