THE SUMMER SOLSTICE OCCURRED AT 7:58 THIS MORNING, LOCAL TIME, AND MARKS THE ASTRONOMICAL FIRST DAY OF SUMMER IN THE NORTHERN HEMISPHERE. THE SOLSTICE OCCURS WHEN ONE OF EARTH'S POLES HAS ITS MAXIMUM TILT TOWARD THE SUN.

THE SUMMER SOLSTICE HAPPENS TWICE YEARLY, ONCE IN EACH HEMISPHERE (NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN). FOR THAT HEMISPHERE, THE SUMMER SOLSTICE IS THE DAY WITH THE LONGEST PERIOD OF DAYLIGHT AND SHORTEST NIGHT OF THE YEAR. IT IS ALSO WHEN THE SUN IS AT ITS HIGHEST POSITION IN THE SKY FOR THE YEAR AND WHEN IT RECEIVES THE MOST DIRECT ANGLE OF SUNLIGHT OF THE YEAR.

AT EITHER POLE, THERE IS CONTINUOUS DAYLIGHT AT THE TIME OF ITS SUMMER SOLSTICE. THE OPPOSITE IS TRUE FOR THE WINTER SOLSTICE.