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Swimmers and hikers enjoy solstice

Swimmers and hikers enjoy solstice

Summary

The summer solstice, marking the start of astronomical summer in the northern hemisphere, occurred on 21 June at 09:24 BST this year. People across the UK celebrated by gathering at places like Stonehenge, taking part in walks, and enjoying outdoor activities such as swimming and hiking.

Key Facts

  • The summer solstice happens when the northern hemisphere's pole is tilted closest to the Sun.
  • This year, the exact solstice time was 21 June at 09:24 British Summer Time (BST).
  • The solstice is the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere.
  • People gathered in large numbers at Stonehenge in Wiltshire to watch the sunrise.
  • More than 200 people joined a solstice walk in Worcestershire.
  • The word "solstice" comes from the Latin word meaning "sun standing still."
  • The date of the solstice changes slightly each year due to the Earth's orbit taking about 365.25 days.
  • A leap day is added every four years to keep our calendar aligned with the Earth's orbit.
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