What is the meaning of summer solstice and how many hours of daylight is there today?

The sunrise at Stonehenge won’t be observed by a big crowd this year, but the solstice must go on (Picture: Matt Cardy/Getty Images)

Happy Solstice! Today, 20 June, marks the Summer Solstice 2020 which means that summer is officially here.

With today marking the longest day of the year, it’s a perfect day to… well, keep yourself socially distanced from other people.

Coronavirus might have changed how we enjoy a sunny day for now, but how is the solstice typically celebrated and how many hours of daylight will there be today?

When is the longest day of the year?

In the northern hemisphere, the summer solstice, or longest day of the year, takes place between June 20 and 22 each year, and this year it takes place today, Saturday 20 June.

The summer solstice takes place when the tilt of Earth’s axis is most inclined towards the sun and is directly above the Tropic of Cancer.

It officially marks the beginning of the astronomical summer, which ends with the autumn equinox in September.

How many hours of daylight will there be today?

The UK is expected to enjoy 16 hours and 38 minutes of daylight on this year’s solstice.

The sun will rise at 4.43am and set at 9.21pm, so SPF is a sensible suggestion today.

How is the summer solstice celebrated and where does Stonehenge come into it?

There are two solstices each year – a summer and a winter solstice.

Each year, many druids and other curious folk turn up at the mysterious stone circles and wait for the sun to appear.

With coronavirus cancelling this celebration this year, the sunrise behind the Heel Stone -the ancient entrance to the Stone Circle – on Sunday June 21 will be livestreamed across the English Heritage social media channels.

The celebrations will be taking place online this year, with livestreams available (Picture: SAEED KHAN/AFP via Getty Images)

English Heritage will also stream the sunset at Stonehenge on Saturday 20 June and is putting on a host of activities including interviews with experts and historians.

Historically, the summer solstice period used to fall between the planting and harvesting of crops, leaving people who worked the land time to relax, which is why many people in the olden days would get married in June.

In the southern hemisphere the dates of the two solstices are reversed, so their winter solstice will be celebrated 20 June.

MORE: When is the first day of summer?

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