Summer Solstice on June 21: The Sun at Noon Will Reach Its Maximum Height

In Moscow, daylight will last a record 17 hours and 33 minutes

In Russia and other countries of the Northern Hemisphere, the Sun today at noon will rise to its maximum height above the horizon this year, after which it will gradually begin to decrease it.

June 21 is the summer solstice. At 5:42 Moscow time, the Sun, moving along the ecliptic, will reach its most distant position from the celestial equator towards the North Pole. At this moment, astronomical summer will begin in the Northern Hemisphere.

The duration of daylight on Saturday will be the maximum this year — at the latitude of Moscow it will be 17 hours 33 minutes.

Near the solstice, the Sun seems to freeze at the upper point of maximum declination, and then begins to gradually lose its midday height. From this day on, it will descend lower and lower towards the horizon every day at noon, reducing the duration of daylight
Press service of the Moscow Planetarium

The midday height of the Sun in Moscow in June is about 57º. It will be minimal at noon on December 21, during the winter solstice, when the shortest daylight hours of the year are observed in the Northern Hemisphere.

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