Summer is finally here. That means the days are now longer, the nights are hot, and the Google Doodle is green.
The summer solstice, which marks the longest day of the year, began early this morning (June 21) in the Northern Hemisphere and swept over the world, officially starting the summer season. To celebrate, today’s Google Doodle features animated creatures relaxing on some lily pads in a cool pond, perhaps inspiring people to do the same and relax while having some fun in the sun.
The reason the summer solstice is the longest day of the year is because the tilt of Earth’s axis is most inclined toward the sun, making the sun’s highest point of elevation between June 20 and June 22 every year. Conversely, on the Southern half of the world, they’re experiencing the shortest day of the year and the official start of winter.
The most famous solstice celebration takes place at Stonehenge in the United Kingdom; thousands of people travel to the ancient and mysterious monument for both summer and winter solstice to connect with nature and watch the sunrise.