"Summer Solstice 2024"

Summer officially commences in the Northern Hemisphere today, June 20th, heralding the year's longest day. This phenomenon, known as the summer solstice, occurs when the Sun reaches its northernmost point in the sky. Tonight, it is slated to happen at 21:50 BST/22:50 CEST.

During the summer solstice, the Northern Hemisphere enjoys its lengthiest period of daylight, marking the peak of sunlight for the year. This phenomenon arises from Earth's position in its orbit around the Sun, with the North Pole tilted most directly towards the Sun during this time.

The Sun's rays strike the Northern Hemisphere at their most direct angle, resulting in an extended duration of daylight. Despite the prolonged daylight hours, it may not necessarily be the hottest day of the year.

An animation showcases daily images captured by Meteosat Second Generation from June 20th, 2023 to June 19th, 2024, approximately at 16:30 BST/17:30 CEST each day.