Q1: The Summer Solstice gives us the longest day of the year, but it is not usually the hottest day because the Earth and oceans keep storing heat for several weeks after the solstice. This delay is called seasonal lag, which is why the hottest days often come later in summer.
Q2: On the Summer Solstice, the Sun usually rises very early and sets very late, giving us the longest period of daylight. However, the earliest sunrise and latest sunset do not always happen on the exact same day because of the Earth's tilt and its elliptical orbit around the Sun.
Q3: If I stood exactly on the Tropic of Cancer at noon during the Summer Solstice, my shadow could almost disappear. The Sun would be directly overhead, causing objects and people to cast little or no visible shadow.
Summer Solstice 2026 is a reminder of how amazing our planet and its movements are. 🌞🌍