MUSCAT: Despite enduring scorching temperatures over the past few weeks, today, Wednesday, marks the onset of the astronomical summer season in the country. Coincidentally, it is also the longest day of the year.
As confirmed by the Oman Astronomical Society, this year's summer solstice commences on June 21, signifying the first day of the astronomical summer season in the Northern Hemisphere.
According to the Society, the Sun will rise at 5:21 am, reach its zenith at 12:09 pm, and set at 6:57 pm in Oman.
The solstice, a remarkable astronomical occurrence, takes place twice annually. It transpires during the summer season in June and again in December during winter. The December solstice usually falls around December 21, when the Sun is positioned directly above the Tropic of Capricorn.
Recognizing the significance of this event, the General Assembly of the United Nations passed a resolution on November 2, 2001, designating this day as the International Day of the Celebration of the Solstice.
The solstice arises when the Earth reaches the point where the North Pole is tilted the farthest towards the Sun. This tilt results in an increased number of daylight hours during the Summer Solstice. Meteorologists, however, believe that summer typically commences approximately three to four days before the June solstice occurs.
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