Biggest Day of the Year: Even Your Shadow will Disappear at 12:28 PM!

The summer solstice of 2023, celebrated on June 21st, brings the Earth's maximum tilt towards the sun. This alignment causes the longest day and shortest night of the year as the sun shines directly over the Tropic of Cancer.
Summer Solstice 2023
Summer Solstice 2023Image Credit: Pixabay
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Generally, a day is thought to be divided equally between day and night but that happens for only a few days. For the remaining days, either the daylight hours are more or the nighttime is longer. After 21 December, the night-time gets shorter while the days start getting longer with 21 June as the longest day of the year.

Summer Solstice: It is on the 21st day of the 6th month of the year when the day is the longest. The North Pole on 21st June is tilted closest to the sun.

It is noteworthy that on this day the sun reaches its highest point in the sky due to which the daylight stays for a longer time duration than other days.

The summer solstice of 2023 marks a significant celestial event as the Earth reaches the peak of its tilt toward the sun. On this day, typically around June 21st in the Northern Hemisphere, the sun shines directly over the Tropic of Cancer, resulting in the longest day of the year and the shortest night.

As the sun's rays bathe the land with intense warmth and radiance, people around the world embrace the joyous arrival of summer.

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Your Shadow Disappears when the Sun is Right over the Tropic of Cancer

On June 21 at 12:28 PM even your shadows will disappear owing to certain astronomical and geographical features. The Tropic of Cancer, located at approximately 23.5 degrees north latitude, marks the northernmost point at which the sun can appear directly overhead during the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere.

When the sun reaches this position, it casts its rays almost vertically, resulting in minimal shadow formation. As a result, objects and individuals situated in areas near the Tropic of Cancer experience a unique occurrence: their shadows seem to vanish or become dramatically shortened as the sun reaches its zenith.

This remarkable event is a testament to the Earth's axial tilt and provides an opportunity for those fortunate enough to witness it to marvel at the wonders of our planet's celestial dance.

The concept of shadows holds significant symbolism and is often associated with spirituality and cosmic energies. The notion that one's shadow disappears when the sun is directly over the Tropic of Cancer resonates deeply with these beliefs.

In Indian mythology and philosophy, light and shadow represent the eternal dance between light and darkness, good and evil, and knowledge and ignorance.

The disappearance of one's shadow at this particular celestial alignment can be interpreted as a temporary merging of the individual self with cosmic energy, transcending the limitations of the physical world.

It is seen as a moment of spiritual elevation and a glimpse into the divine realms. Such occurrences are regarded as auspicious and hold the potential for spiritual awakening and enlightenment.

June 21 Marks the Start of Shorter Days and Longer Nights

Image Credit: GettyImages

On June 21st, the sun moves from Uttarayan towards Dakshinayan (Summer Solstice 2023), which is the principal cause of the days getting shorter and the nights getting longer.

You can witness the daylight on 21st June for 13 hours 58 minutes while the night-time will be of 10 hours and 2 minutes. From the astronomy point of view, the extreme revolution of the sun is 23 degrees 26 minutes and 15 seconds on this day. After this day, the days get shorter causing them to be equal to the nights on the 23rd of September 2023 due to sorting astronomical events.

On the summer solstice, the sun's rays stay on Earth for about 13 to 14 hours making it the longest day of the year.

Why is 21st June the Longest Day of the Year?

The summer solstice of 2023 marks a significant celestial event as the Earth reaches the peak of its tilt toward the sun. On this day, typically around June 21st in the Northern Hemisphere, the Sun shines directly over the Tropic of Cancer, resulting in the longest day of the year and the shortest night.

Image Credit: GettyImages

As the Sun's rays bathe the land with intense warmth and radiance, people around the world embrace the joyous arrival of summer. It is a time when nature flourishes, and vibrant colours adorn the landscape.

From bustling beaches to lush meadows, individuals immerse themselves in outdoor activities, savouring the extended daylight and revelling in the beauty of nature.

The summer solstice of 2023 invites us to celebrate the bounties of the season, bask in the sun's brilliance, and cherish the moments of warmth and abundance that summer brings.

The summer solstice falling on June 21st is attributed to the position of the sun in relation to the zodiac sign of Cancer. According to Indian astrology, the zodiac is divided into twelve equal parts, known as Rashis, and Cancer is one of them.

The summer solstice occurs when the sun enters Cancer, which is represented by the Crab in Indian astrology.

The significance of the summer solstice in Indian beliefs can be traced back to ancient times when celestial events held great importance in religious and agricultural practices.

The transition of the sun into Cancer during the summer solstice is seen as a crucial moment for the alignment of cosmic energies. It is believed to have a direct influence on the environment, weather patterns, and human lives.

By: Anjali Tyagi

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