Tomorrow Will Be Longest Day of Year

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New Delhi, June. 20 (PTI): Tomorrow will be the longest day of the

year in the Northern Hemisphere. The phenomenon is called 'summer

solstice'.

 

As seen from Delhi, the sun would rise at 5.24 am and set at 7.22 pm.

 

On the day of the 'summer solstice', the sun's rays are perpendicular

on the Tropic of Cancer.

 

In India Ujjain, Ranchi, Durgapur and Bardwan are close to the Tropic

of Cancer and on the day of 'solar solstice' there will be no shadow

of any object under the Sun in these locations.

 

In fact, there will be one latitude on Earth, where the sun's rays are

perpendicular on any day of the year. On two special days of the year

- the equinoxes, the sun's rays are perpendicular on the equator.

 

Delhi is at latitude of 28.5 degrees which is about 5 degrees to the

North of the Tropic of Cancer and therefore, the sun will never be

seen quite overhead from here, but it comes closest to that on 'summer

solstice, tomorrow.

 

At 12.23 pm tomorrow, the sun will be seen at its highest point from

Delhi and it will be about 84.8 degrees high in the sky at that time.

There will be very small shadows under the sun.

 

Nehru Planetarium and the Amateur Astronomers Association have

arranged observations and presentations at the Jantar Mantar and the

Planetarium which will be open to the public, an official release said.

 

The 'winter solstice' the shortest day of the year, falls on December

22 when the sun will rise at 7.10 am and set at 5.29 pm as seen from

Delhi, at added.

 

SOURCE: The Hindu

URL: http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/001200606201928.htm