Summer Solstice,
the time of year in the Northern Hemisphere
when the noon Sun appears to be farthest north.
The summer solstice usually occurs on June 21
or 22 and marks the beginning of the summer
season in the Northern Hemisphere.

Solstice,
in astronomy, term applied to either of the two
points in the ecliptic at which the Sun is farthest
from the celestial equator. The solstice north of
the celestial equator is called the summer solstice
because the Sun is usually at its greatest declination
on June 21 or 22 (at the beginning of summer in
the Northern Hemisphere); the solstice south of
the celestial equator, called the winter solstice,
usually occurs on December 21 or 22. The
seasons are the reverse of the above for people
living in the Southern Hemisphere. The term
solstice means "Sun stands still"; at these times
the Sun changes little in declination from one
day to the next and appears to remain in one
place north or south of the celestial equator.
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"Summer Solstice," Microsoft® Encarta®
Online Encyclopedia 2005
http://encarta.msn.com © 1997-2005
Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved

"Solstice," Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2005
http://encarta.msn.com © 1997-2005
Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved.