What is the Tropic of Cancer and how is it connected to the summer solstice?

The solstice is coming soon
Many countries have midsummer celebrations on the summer solstice
TT News Agency/AFP via Getty Ima
Emily Lawford19 June 2020

Each year, there is a summer solstice and a winter solstice. The summer solstice – also known as midsummer or festival solstice – occurs when the sun is highest in the sky. It is the day of the year with the longest daylight.

The summer solstice this year is on Saturday, June 20.

Here, we take a look at how the Tropic of Cancer is connected to the summer solstice.

What is the Tropic of Cancer?

The Tropic of Cancer – also called the Northern Tropic – is the most northern circle of latitude on Earth where the sun can appear directly overhead at noon. It occurs at approximately 23.5° north of the equator.

The Tropic of Cancer is a line of latitude circling the Earth at approximately 23.5° north of the equator. It is the northernmost point on Earth where the sun's rays can appear directly overhead at local noon.

It is one of the five major circles of latitude dividing the Earth – alongside the Tropic of Capricorn, the equator, the Arctic Circle and the Antarctic Circle. The Tropic of Cancer passes through a number of countries and landmarks, including Hawaii, USA, parts of Central America, northern Africa, and the Sahara Desert.

How is it connected to the summer solstice?

The summer solstice occurs when the sun is directly over the Tropic of Cancer. This happens when the tilt of the Earth’s axis is most inclined towards the sun.

The Tropic of Cancer was named more than 2,000 years ago at a summer solstice when the sun pointed towards the constellation Cancer – giving the Tropic its name.

During the summer solstice, areas north of the Arctic Circle receive 24 hours of daylight each day, and no darkness. Meanwhile, the Arctic Circle receives 24 hours of darkness.

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