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What occurs during the summer solstice?

  1. The day with the least hours of sunlight

  2. The day with the most hours of sunlight

  3. The day when the sun is directly above the equator

  4. The day with equal day and night

The correct answer is: The day with the most hours of sunlight

During the summer solstice, which occurs around June 21 in the Northern Hemisphere, the position of the Earth relative to the Sun and its axial tilt causes this day to have the longest duration of sunlight compared to any other day of the year. During this time, the North Pole is tilted closest to the Sun, resulting in the Sun reaching its highest point in the sky at noon. This effect leads to significantly longer daylight hours, making the summer solstice the pinnacle of summer and the day when the Sun is observed to be at its maximum elevation in the sky. In contrast, the winter solstice would have the least hours of sunlight, while equinoxes are characterized by roughly equal hours of day and night.