1. What is Summer Solstice Daylight?

Summer solstice daylight refers to the duration of sunlight on the longest day of the year, which occurs around June 21st in the Northern Hemisphere. The amount of daylight varies significantly with latitude.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses astronomical formulas to estimate daylight hours:

Where:

• \( \phi \) — Latitude in radians
• \( \delta \) — Solar declination (23.45° for summer solstice)
• \( \pi \) — Mathematical constant pi

Explanation: The formula calculates the hour angle from sunrise to sunset based on latitude and solar position.

3. Importance of Daylight Calculation

Details: Understanding daylight patterns is crucial for agriculture, energy planning, tourism, and understanding seasonal variations in climate and ecosystems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter latitude in degrees (-90 to +90). Positive values for Northern Hemisphere, negative for Southern Hemisphere. The calculation assumes clear atmospheric conditions.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is maximum daylight about 15 hours at 40°N?
A: At 40° latitude, the summer solstice provides approximately 15 hours of daylight due to the Earth's axial tilt of 23.5 degrees.

Q2: What affects actual daylight duration?
A: Atmospheric refraction, elevation, and local topography can slightly alter actual sunrise and sunset times.

Q3: How does daylight change with latitude?
A: Daylight duration increases toward the poles during summer, with 24-hour daylight above the Arctic Circle and 24-hour darkness below the Antarctic Circle.

Q4: Is this calculation accurate for all locations?
A: This provides theoretical maximums. Actual times vary due to local atmospheric conditions and elevation.

Q5: How does this differ from winter solstice?
A: Winter solstice has the shortest daylight duration, with formulas using negative declination values.