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Solstice

Adapted from Wikipedia · Explorer experience

A beautiful sunrise over the ancient stone circles of Stonehenge in England.

What Is a Solstice?

A solstice is a special moment in the year when the Sun is farthest north or south in the sky. This happens because the Earth is tilted. The Sun seems to pause for a little while before moving in a new direction. This is why we have the longest and shortest days of the year.

The Two Solstices

There are two solstices every year. The summer solstice happens in June, around June 20–22. This is when some places get the most daylight of the year. The winter solstice happens in December, around December 20–22. This is when places get the least daylight.

Why Solstices Matter

Many people use the solstices to mark the changing of the seasons. For thousands of years, different cultures have celebrated these special days. For example, some people celebrate Christmas around the winter solstice. Others have festivals like the Dongzhi Festival in East Asia or Midsummer celebrations around the summer solstice. These festivals help us feel connected to the rhythms of Earth and the Sun.

Fun Fact

The word solstice comes from Latin and means “sun standing still.” This name fits because the Sun seems to stop moving higher in the sky for a little while during the solstices. Whether it is the longest day or the shortest day, the solstice reminds us of the beautiful dance between our planet and the Sun.

Images

Illustration showing the Earth at the beginning of each astronomical season as seen from the north.
A scientific graph showing how the length of a solar day changes throughout the year, helping us understand sundials and Earth's orbit.
A visual representation of the four seasons on Earth, showing how nature changes throughout the year.
Diagram showing how the Earth is lit by the Sun during the summer solstice in the northern hemisphere.
Diagram showing how sunlight illuminates Earth during the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere.
An illustration showing Earth at the start of each of the four astronomical seasons, viewed from space.
A view of a public sculpture and a former Solar System model in Manhattan, showcasing interesting city art and science.
A stunning view of Earth rising over the Moon, captured by astronauts during the Apollo 8 mission in 1968.
A colorful montage showing the planets in our solar system: Mercury, Venus, Earth with the Moon, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Each planet is shown to scale relative to the others.
Isaac Newton's first reflecting telescope, built in 1668, was a groundbreaking scientific instrument that helped advance our understanding of light and astronomy.
An old marine sandglass used for measuring time at sea.
Diagram showing how much sunlight is reflected on Earth during the winter and summer solstices.

Related articles

Sun
Summer solstice
Winter solstice
Christmas
Latin

This article is a child-friendly adaptation of the Wikipedia article on Solstice, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

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