Summer Solstice 2026

the longest light — 21 June, 08:26 UTC

On 21 June 2026 at 08:26 UTC, the sun stood at its furthest north and the northern day reached its longest.

The interactive globe needs JavaScript to draw itself. The other turnings of the year, and a calendar download, sit below.

listening for the sun…

drag to rotate · tap a gold pin to read its alignment

See the sun move through the whole year on the live Sun Path →

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Spring Equinox 20 March, 14:46 UTC
Summer Solstice 21 June, 08:26 UTC
Autumn Equinox 23 September, 00:06 UTC
Winter Solstice 21 December, 20:51 UTC

How this is computed

The sun's position uses the NOAA Solar Calculator (Spencer 1971 truncated series) — declination accurate to about 0.05°, the equation of time to about half a minute. The moon and the deep-time scrubber use Meeus, Astronomical Algorithms (2nd ed.). Ancient solar and lunar alignments are pinned from archaeological literature (Ruggles, Astronomy in Prehistoric Britain and Ireland), not derived from the model. Good for contemplation, not for navigation.