Longest Day of the Year 2024 in Brazil
The Summer Solstice occurs at 06:23
The Summer Solstice is the first day of astronomical summer, although the more logical metrological summer begins December 1st / June 1st (depending on hemisphere).
For most of us the main feature of the Summer Solstice is that it is the day with the longest period of sunlight - or daylight at least! This officially occurs at the moment when the sun reaches a point directly overhead of the Tropic of Cancer (latitude 23.44° north) in the northern hemisphere or over the Tropic of Capricorn in the southern. At this point the respective hemisphere will receive sunlight at the most direct angle for that year.
The Longest Day in Brazil is 24 hours long
I.e. there isn't a night... The midnight sun is a natural phenomenon that occurs in regions near the Earth's poles, notably in the Arctic and Antarctic circles. During the summer months, the Earth's axial tilt results in a unique occurrence where the sun remains visible above the horizon for an extended period, often throughout the entire night. This phenomenon is most prominent near the polar regions, where the sun's path barely dips below the horizon, creating an eerie but mesmerizing spectacle of perpetual daylight during the summer solstice.
The midnight sun has profound cultural and environmental impacts, influencing the daily routines and traditions of communities living in these extreme latitudes, while also playing a crucial role in the region's ecosystems.
During the December Solstice the sun will appear at its highest and most
The evenings are already long at this time of year and the solstice is just the peak. So whilst it might seem like a day to celebrate, in fact days now start getting shorter. It is also worth pointing out that the Summer Solstice doesn't actually have the latest sunset - that occurs a few days later.
With the Sun's rays hitting the Earth more directly this is the time of year the sun is strongest with the highest levels of UV. That said because of "seasonal lag" temperatures still have a way to go before they max out in January or February
Summer Solstice Dates
In the southern hemisphere, the summer solstice takes place between December 20, 21, 22, or 23 each year
| Year | Date | Time (Solstice) |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 21st December | 07:06 |
| 2021 | 21st December | 13:02 |
| 2022 | 21st December | 18:51 |
| 2023 | 22nd December | 00:30 |
| 2024 | 21st December | 06:23 |
| 2025 | 21st December | 12:06 |
| 2026 | 21st December | 17:53 |
| 2027 | 21st December | 23:45 |
| 2028 | 21st December | 05:23 |
| 2029 | 21st December | 11:17 |
| 2030 | 21st December | 17:13 |
The word solstice comes from Latin 'solstitium' meaning "the sun stands still". This is because the sun's path north or south stops before reversing direction.