Thousands of people gathered at the ancient stone circle at Stonehenge in Wiltshire, England, on Tuesday, June 21, to watch the sun rise at 4:49 a.m., in celebration of the summer solstice. 

June 21 is the longest day of the year and the first day of summer, in the Northern Hemisphere. 

Stonehenge, constructed between 5000-3500 years ago, is aligned in a way that the sun rises behind what is known as the Heel Stone, and the sun’s rays shine through the center of the stone circle. 

When the Earth is at its maximum tilt toward the Sun (about 23.5 degrees), people in the Northern Hemisphere experience the longest day and the shortest night. 

During the summer solstice, the Arctic Circle, the most northerly circle of Earth at which the Sun can be directly overhead, has continuous daylight. 

The summer solstice occurs every year in June. The winter solstice, with the shortest day of the year and the beginning of winter, occurs every year in December. 

“Down under,” it’s the opposite.

In the Southern Hemisphere, it is the shortest day of the year, and the beginning of winter, in countries south of the equator. 

The revelers at Stonehenge were happy to be present on the site. Gatherings were not allowed in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19 and the celebrations were live-streamed.

Enjoy your extra minutes of daylight!