What is the Summer Solstice?

You may or may not know that June 21 is the 2013 summer solstice. You have probably heard the words summer solstice a few hundred times in your life, but do you actually know what the term means? Let Patch be your dictionary.

The reason it's the first day of summer is where defining the solstice becomes a bit complicated. Many people refer to the summer solstice as the longest day of the year. Of course there are no more than 24 hours that separate June 20 and June 22, 2013. It's the sunlight that counts. 

On the day of the summer solstice, the earth's axial tilt is inclined toward the sun more than any other day of the year. Technically speaking, the tilt on this day peaks at 23° 26'. Because of this, there is a maximum of sunlight seconds on the day of the summer solstice.

In Mountain View on the Summer Solstice this year, the sun will rise at 5:48 a.m. and will set at 8:32 p.m. according to sunrisesunset.com. By the end of summer, the sun will rise at 6:55 a.m. and set at 7:08 p.m.

If you're looking to celebrate the exact moment of this year's summer solstice, you actually have to take your celebratory shot at 10:04 p.m Thursday night. The solstice is still officially recognized as happening on the 21 though because it occurs at 5:04 a.m. Universal Time. 

Careful not to mark your calendar for a June 21 celebration every year though, as the solstice can change slightly with our 365-day year not perfectly matching the universe's plan for planetary permutation.

You can revel in the holiday nearby at the Summer Solstice Celebration at Community of Infinite Spirit in San Jose. There will be live music and dancing at the party as well as solstice traditions. For more information, click here. The Summit Wineries are also holding a weekend-long solstice celebration. 

Are you doing anything to celebrate the most sunlight of the year? Tell us in the comments and happy summer solstice!