Summer Solstice

In 2026, the summer solstice occurs on June 21, bringing the longest day and shortest night of the year to the Northern Hemisphere. For thousands of years, people have observed and celebrated this moment. The word solstice comes from the Latin words for “sun” and “standing still.” It is known as the first day of summer. Around the solstice, the Sun appears to pause in its northward journey across the sky before beginning its gradual descent southward again. The summer solstice occurs because Earth is tilted on its axis by about 23.5 degrees. As the Earth orbits the Sun, that tilt causes different parts of the planet to receive different amounts of sunlight throughout the year. On the summer solstice, the Northern hemisphere is tilted most directly toward the Sun. As a result, the Sun reaches its highest point in the sky and daylight lasts longer than on any other day of the year. < People often think that summer occurs because Earth is closer to the Sun. In reality, Earth’s distance from the Sun has little to do with the seasons. Instead, the amount of sunlight a region receives depends on the planet’s tilt.

Earth Day

 

Artemis II Back to the Moon

 

I was in Oshkosh Wisconsin on 20 July 1969 watching the first Lunar landing. I can't wait until we return to the moon. At my age watching the launch of Artemis II may be  as close as I get to seeing a return.

April Fool's Day

Vernal Equinox

 

The vernal equinox is the moment when the sun crosses Earth's equator marking the start of Spring resulting in nearly equal hours of daylight and darkness globally because  Earth's axis is tilted so both hemispheres receive equal sunlight. It's named from Latin for "equal night," signifying a time of balance.

The spiritual meaning of the vernal equinox is deeply rooted in themes of balance, renewal, and transformation. This celestial event marks the moment when day and night are equal in length, symbolizing harmony between light and dark. Across cultures, the vernal equinox has long been recognized as a powerful time for growth, reflection, and new beginnings.

St Joseph Day

I didn't until recently connect the dots between

my Dad's name (Joseph) and March 19th which

 is his day of birth and the Feast of St Joseph. His

parents were good catholics and obviously chose

his name for this reason. Since I am not a good

catholic it took me longer to make the connection.

Dad died at the very young at the age of 53.

March 19th is also the day the swallows 

return to San Juan Capistrano.

 

Pi Day

One of the special days of the year!