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 NorthernHemisphere); 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.