Longest Day of the Year 2024 in Papua-Nova-Guiné

The Summer Solstice is the first day of astronomical summer, although the more logical metrological summer begins December 1st / June 1st (depending on hemisphere).

Solstice sunrise, sunset and day length in Port Moresby

For most of us the main feature of the Summer Solstice is that it is the day with the longest period of sunlight - or daylight at least! This officially occurs at the moment when the sun reaches a point directly overhead of the Tropic of Cancer (latitude 23.44° north) in the northern hemisphere or over the Tropic of Capricorn in the southern. At this point the respective hemisphere will receive sunlight at the most direct angle for that year.

Daylight & night hours for the Summer Solstice

Duração do dia para 2024-11-05

Noite	Primeira luz: 4:31	Crepúsculo: 5:26	Nascer do sol: 5:49	Pôr do sol: 18:29	Crepúsculo: 18:52	Última luz: 19:47	Noite

During the December Solstice the sun will appear at its highest and most in the sky. Whilst this delivers the longest day of the year the actual length of this day will vary according to location. Those in more latitudes will experience markedly longer days than those closer to the Equator.

The evenings are already long at this time of year and the solstice is just the peak. So whilst it might seem like a day to celebrate, in fact days now start getting shorter. It is also worth pointing out that the Summer Solstice doesn't actually have the latest sunset - that occurs a few days later.

With the Sun's rays hitting the Earth more directly this is the time of year the sun is strongest with the highest levels of UV. That said because of "seasonal lag" temperatures still have a way to go before they max out in January or February

Summer Solstice Dates

In the southern hemisphere, the summer solstice takes place between December 20, 21, 22, or 23 each year

Dates of longest day of the year in Papua-Nova-Guiné

Year	Date	Time (Solstice)
2020	21st December	20:06
2021	22nd December	02:02
2022	22nd December	07:51
2023	22nd December	13:30
2024	21st December	19:23
2025	22nd December	01:06
2026	22nd December	06:53
2027	22nd December	12:45
2028	21st December	18:23
2029	22nd December	00:17
2030	22nd December	06:13

The word solstice comes from Latin 'solstitium' meaning "the sun stands still". This is because the sun's path north or south stops before reversing direction.

Solstice sunrise/sunset times