Today marks the summer solstice, when the Northern Hemisphere experiences the longest day and the shortest night of the year

Today marks the summer solstice, when the Northern Hemisphere experiences the longest day and the shortest night of the year, while the Southern Hemisphere sees the opposite.

There are two types of solstices: summer and winter. The summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere occurs on June 21, while the winter solstice takes place on December 21.

The Earth's axis of rotation is tilted at an angle of 66°30' relative to its orbital plane, which is the main reason for the changing seasons throughout the year.

During the year, Earth orbits in relation to the sun's rays, alternating between the Northern and Southern poles. As a result, the sun heats and illuminates the Northern Hemisphere more intensely during its summer, while winter prevails in the Southern Hemisphere, and vice versa.

On June 22, the sun moves away from the equatorial plane toward the Northern Hemisphere at its maximum extent, creating an angle of 23°27' with the equator, causing its rays to fall almost perpendicularly on the Earth. This marks the beginning of summer in the Northern Hemisphere and winter in the Southern Hemisphere.