Greetings on summer solstice

[AllardChardon]

Quoted from Yahoo news:

The Strange Science of Summer

by Robert Roy Britt
LiveScience Managing Editor
LiveScience.com
Thu Jun 19, 5:51 PM ET

With 8 inches of hail falling in parts of Nebraska this week and Arizona reaching triple digit temperatures last week, it may seem rather arbitrary to call June 20 the first day of the summer this year, aka the summer solstice. But scientists really do have a reason.

It's all about Earth's cockeyed leanings and some celestial configurations that even the ancients understood.

Our planet is tilted 23.5 degrees on its spin axis. On June 20 this year (some years it's June 21), the North Pole is pointing toward the sun as much as is possible.

Imagine Earth as an apple sitting on one side of a table, with the stem being the North Pole. Tilt the apple 23.5 degrees so the stem points toward a candle (the sun) at the center of the table. That's summer for the top half of the apple. Now keep the stem pointing in the same direction but move the apple to the other side of the table: Now the stem points away from the candle, and it's winter on the top half of the fruit.

The setup at June solstice puts the sun as high in our sky as it can go, yielding the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.

Scientists put the exact moment of the solstice at 8:00 p.m. ET (keep in mind that the sun is always up somewhere, and the gods don't favor the Eastern time zone).

As long ago as the fourth century B.C., ancient peoples in the Americas understood enough of this that they could create giant calendars driven by sunlight. They built observatories of stone to mark the solstices and other times important for planting or harvesting crops. Shrines and even tombs were also designed with the sun in mind.

The sun comes up each day (except at the poles) because our planet rotates once on its axis every 24 hours or so. It is Earth's tilt, and our 365-day orbit around the sun, that explain much about how our world changes during the year.

Seasons: As Earth orbits the sun, the orientation of the planet's axis, in relation to the sun, changes constantly. A quarter of the way around in the orbit, fall sets in. By winter, we'll be on the other side of the sun, with the North Pole pointing away from the sun. That winter solstice, around Dec. 21 each year, will be the Northern Hemisphere's shortest day, and researchers in Antarctica will be basking in 24-hour sunlight.

Shifting stars: As we orbit the sun, the part of the night sky that's in our view changes. A given star sets about 4 minutes earlier each night. Over a month, this amounts to two hours. In winter, this all means that we're looking at stars that during the summer were in our daytime sky, overwhelmed of course by the glare of the sun. Since we complete a circle every year, the stars of summer, such as the Big Dipper, are always the stars of summer.

Endless summer: At the North Pole, the sun rises once a year, around March 19. It rises until the summer solstice, then sinks but does not truly set until around Sept. 24.

During summer on the top half of Earth, our planet is actually farther from the sun than during winter, a fact owing to our non-circular orbit around the sun. The difference is about 3 million miles (5 million kilometers), and it makes a difference in radiant heat received by the entire Earth of nearly 7 percent. But the difference is more than made up for by the longer days in the Northern Hemisphere summer with the sun higher in the sky.

Which brings up a common question: If the June solstice is the longest day of the year, why are the dog days of August typically hotter? It takes a while for the oceans to warm up, and a lot of weather on land is driven by the heat of the oceans.

Copyright © 2008 Yahoo All rights reserved.


I have a bit of the science nut in me and I just love this stuff. And now we are all informed.

Good wishes for your summer solstice,
Allard

 

[3113]

You left out the most important thing...Summer Solstice Rituals!

Like...getting on a bike and cycling naked! Or lighting up bon fires and leaping through them naked!

Any one for a bit of bon fire jumping or bike riding?

 

[voluptuary_manque]

What I find interesting is that though the summer solstice is the astronomical beginning of summer, in Olde Englande it was celebrated as Mid-Summer's day . . . I think. If I am wrong, I'd really like our British contingent to explain to me just when Mid-Summer falls. See, I've got this CD of Mid-Summer Night's Dream and I'd like to watch it on an appropriate day.

 

[3113]

What I find interesting is that though the summer solstice is the astronomical beginning of summer, in Olde Englande it was celebrated as Mid-Summer's day . . . I think. If I am wrong, I'd really like our British contingent to explain to me just when Mid-Summer falls. See, I've got this CD of Mid-Summer Night's Dream and I'd like to watch it on an appropriate day.

Yes, indeed, today is "mid-Summer" though I don't know why they called it that.

 

[voluptuary_manque]

You left out the most important thing...Summer Solstice Rituals!

Like...getting on a bike and cycling naked! Or lighting up bon fires and leaping through them naked!

Any one for a bit of bon fire jumping or bike riding?

To each her/his own! As far as I am concerned, naked and in close proximity to flame is an oxymoron. With the possible exception of lounging in front of a fire during the cold months, uh-uh! I mean, have you ever smelled burning hair? Ewwww!

And as for bicycling naked . . . I ride a 24 lb. 18 gear road bike. That saddle and my bare backside would not be compatible.

Now stretching out naked on a comfortable chaise-for-two under a discretely positioned sun shade with an equally naked SO or recent acquaintance or naughty neighbor . . .

 

[Stella_Omega]

I'm all in favor of a solemn ritual that involves hammocks, a swimming hole, and drastically iced Mojitos...

 

[voluptuary_manque]

I'm all in favor of a solemn ritual that involves hammocks, a swimming hole, and drastically iced Mojitos...

Oh yes! "When my ship comes in", I'm buying the next door neighbor's house, flattening it and putting in a Roman bath, hammocks, more orchid houses and an outdoor bar to go with my barbecue and the smoker I'm buying next January. Wouldn't a traditional Roman 2 hour bath with all our friends be a kick?

 

[damppanties]

Yes, indeed, today is "mid-Summer" though I don't know why they called it that.

Because today is the longest day of summer, after which the days begin to get shorter? Look at it this way, the days lead up to this, and fall away after this. So this is the 'mid'.

 

[Equinoxe]

What I find interesting is that though the summer solstice is the astronomical beginning of summer, in Olde Englande it was celebrated as Mid-Summer's day . . . I think. If I am wrong, I'd really like our British contingent to explain to me just when Mid-Summer falls. See, I've got this CD of Mid-Summer Night's Dream and I'd like to watch it on an appropriate day.

Midsummer falls around the Summer Solstice because the Solstice was not traditionally regarded as the first day of Summer. In Ireland, for instance, May Day was traditionally the first day of Summer.

In most cultures, Summer generally begins before the Solstice; Children's Day is traditionally regarded as the beginning of Summer in Japan and it takes place on May 5th (before the adoption of the Gregorian Calendar it was on the 5th day of the 5th month on the old calendar—in any case, it's important when writing traditional haiku).

Edited to Add: Oh, and the appropriate day would be the 24th of June, I believe.

 

[AllardChardon]

I celebrated the day working in my garden in the shade mostly as it was quite warm here in way northern California. The birdsong kept me entertained, osprey, wild finches, ravens, stellar jays, chickadees, robins, swifts, woodpeckers and even a blue heron. I live on the wild uppper Sacramento River and it is beautiful even when hot. Lots of evergreens provide plenty of cover. The incense cedars are my favorite.

Yes, the days shorten from here even though the temps can rise and it seems like the days grow longer. Stargazing and bonfires soon and tomorrow I will hang up the hammock and get out the tiki torches. The long, hot, summer beckons...

 

[starrkers]

Summer solstice? HAH!

I stood on the sidelines of soccer in the cold and occasional mizzle. I am now snuggled under a blankie listening to the wind blow and waiting for the rain to start again. And it's nearly dark already.

 

[matriarch]

Happy Solstice to one and all.

To answer the earlier question, it's called mid-summer, because it's the shortest day of the year, with the sun rising very early (5amish), and setting very late (9ish) - hence middle of the summer, when the sun starts to rise later (a few minutes each day), and set earlier (a few minutes each day), heading inexorably towards autumn and winter.

Solstic celebrations at Stonehenge

This day length is the one thing that fucks the most with the wife living in England as opposed to Arizona, way the sunrise and sunset move above. For the midwinter solstice - i.e. the longest day, the sun rises somewhere around 8am, and sets around 4pm......it's the time of year I kind of like for the crispness of the countryside, but hate for going to work in the dark, being inside slaving in the short hours of daylight, and then going home in the dark. I look forward to midwinter, if only to get it over and look forward to spring.

Sunset times, London, UK June 2008

 

[feeeriek]

Summer solstice? HAH!

I stood on the sidelines of soccer in the cold and occasional mizzle. I am now snuggled under a blankie listening to the wind blow and waiting for the rain to start again. And it's nearly dark already.

see what happens when you stand upside down...you get to celebrate winter solstice instead...stay warm

 

[AllardChardon]

Well, the rain made it here and it is a welcome relief. The evergreens are rejoicing. Thanks to whomever for sending it my way.

 

[3113]

To answer the earlier question, it's called mid-summer, because it's the shortest day of the year, with the sun rising very early (5amish), and setting very late (9ish) - hence middle of the summer, when the sun starts to rise later (a few minutes each day), and set earlier (a few minutes each day), heading inexorably towards autumn and winter....For the midwinter solstice - i.e. the longest day, the sun rises somewhere around 8am, and sets around 4pm......

Have you changed the meaning of long and short? If the sun rises at 5am and sets at 9pm, that, to me, would be a looooong day. And if the sun rises at 8am and sets at 4pm that, to me, would be a very short day.

So what am I missing here? Have we gone through the looking glass, or have you been out in the noonday sun again?

 

[Jenny_Jackson]

Yep. Summer Solstice. I dragged out my Druid suit and payed homage to all the trees, the sun, the moon and all of the mortgage bankers who weren't indicted yesterday.

 

[voluptuary_manque]

Yep. Summer Solstice. I dragged out my Druid suit and payed homage to all the trees, the sun, the moon and all of the mortgage bankers who weren't indicted yesterday.

I went and visited Stella at the Summer Solstice Festival. Yes, there really is a Stella. And yes, there really is a Festival.

 

[AllardChardon]

Good for you, Volupt. I bet you had a good time.

I worked outside in the garden in the rain and it was warm and pleasant. Gots lots done thanks to the cloud cover. Even baked my famous tropical bread because it was cool enough to bake for a change.

Yes, Jenny, the economy sucks, but there is always earth, water, sunshine, seeds and watching my vegetables grow to bring me into balance. Life does have some simple, inexpensive sides that are very enjoyable. Thanks for the little pleasures as well as the big orgasms.

One more day of the solstice weekend, yeah man!

 

[voluptuary_manque]

Good for you, Volupt. I bet you had a good time.

I worked outside in the garden in the rain and it was warm and pleasant. Gots lots done thanks to the cloud cover. Even baked my famous tropical bread because it was cool enough to bake for a change.

Yes, Jenny, the economy sucks, but there is always earth, water, sunshine, seeds and watching my vegetables grow to bring me into balance. Life does have some simple, inexpensive sides that are very enjoyable. Thanks for the little pleasures as well as the big orgasms.

One more day of the solstice weekend, yeah man!

I walked into the Solstice Festival and felt like I was stepping back in time. Massage therapists, crystal healers, aromatherapy, just like the old days. There was one difference, though. Back in the day the booths were full of dewy-eyed flower children. Now they're full of dewy-eyed flower grandparents!

 

[AllardChardon]

We have alot of that kind of stuff up here in the Mt. Shasta area. I always enjoy it when I get out of the garden and have some fun!

 

[Stella_Omega]

Yes, Isis worship is a middle-ager's game. But there's definitely a younger generation and boy are they cute! little goths, and belly-dancers galore. The bear left too soon to sse them.

It was sweaty-hot, but we had a pop-up tent under some big trees, and a mild breeze most of the day. I was there as Dragonmom, mostly, selling magic wands-- the toys were tucked discretely under a table.

But-- loading a van the night before, unloading and setting up a vendor's space, breaking down, loading, driving to the studio and unloading... NOT my idea of how to celebrate the Sun's primacy! And no matter how loudly I demanded a foot massage-- it just never magically appeared.

 

[voluptuary_manque]

Yes, Isis worship is a middle-ager's game. But there's definitely a younger generation and boy are they cute! little goths, and belly-dancers galore. The bear left too soon to sse them.

It was sweaty-hot, but we had a pop-up tent under some big trees, and a mild breeze most of the day. I was there as Dragonmom, mostly, selling magic wands-- the toys were tucked discretely under a table.

But-- loading a van the night before, unloading and setting up a vendor's space, breaking down, loading, driving to the studio and unloading... NOT my idea of how to celebrate the Sun's primacy! And no matter how loudly I demanded a foot massage-- it just never magically appeared.

Darn, and I'm a devoted belly-dance aficianado, too. But as you said, just tooooooo hot to stay outdoors. Fortunately, I have a 220 AC unit in the shop so I spent my day happily sawing up lexan, Melamine, oak, etc. I'm going to have a truly cool router-table setup and a stand with grid to copy photos off of. I'll even be able to take it to Chicago and do live portraits with it . . . that is, if I haven't gotten my eye back again. I'd be really disappointed if I didn't.

 

[AllardChardon]

Belly dancing, now that is my style, as well as dancing around bonfires, a favorite pasttime in the woods, not during fire season, of course, which is now. Maybe in the late fall after the first good rain...

 

[voluptuary_manque]

Belly dancing, now that is my style, as well as dancing around bonfires, a favorite pasttime in the woods, not during fire season, of course, which is now. Maybe in the late fall after the first good rain...

I danced around a campfire a couple of times back when I was much younger. Perhaps the fact that there were only males there has given me a jaundiced view of the process. Honestly, I'd be hard-pressed to come up with any decent reasons for doing it again. It was cold!

 

[AllardChardon]

Volupt,

Okay, picture this;

Full moon night. The aftermath of a hot afternoon. The world is drenched in coolness from the river flowing by. Shadows from the fire dance across the evergreens, a safe distance away. The heat of the fire and the day make clothes unnecessary and everyone strips down to whatever makes them comfortable. A skimpy pink slip for me. I am 56 afterall.

I prefer to use my medicinal marijuana over alcohol but on this occasion I opt for two Guinesses for the complete desired effect. Once the stars, moon, fire and mother earth do their magic, I become one with the universe and the dance begins... belly, native, freeflow... whatever. One must rest between earthly songs for refreshment. In a matter of hours, all your cares have left your body and you are as free as a lark.

That is bonfire dancing, northern Calfiorna forest style. But do not forget the eyes of the animals glittering in the firelight just to add an eerie "you are being watched while you celebrate" twist to the experience. Knowing black bears and cougars reside nearby adds pure excitement. Good thing they hate fire. We keep the fire going all night or extinguish it with the nearby water, whichever suits the group.

Maybe someday you will visit and we will have a lovely bonfire dance.

Allard