GRIFFITH PARK—Griffith Observatory will be commemorating the Summer Solstice on June 21 at noon and sunset.
At both times, short talks will be given about the solstice and the Observatory. The Observatory was built with specific landmarks to celebrate such celestial events. At 12 p.m., when the sun reaches its highest position in the sky, its projected image will cross the engraved meridian arc of the Observatory’s western Gottlieb Transit Corridor. When the sun sets at approximately 8:07 p.m., it will align with a stone and engraved marker especially positioned on the terrace.
Admission is free, and attendees will be able to observe and photograph both events. A high media turnout is expected for the occasion, so visitors are encouraged to arrive early.
The Summer Solstice is the longest day of the year for the Northern Hemisphere. For people living close to the Artic Circle, this can mean the sun is visible for a full 24 hours or more. This phenomenon is called the “midnight sun,” referring to the possibility of seeing the sun in the sky at local midnight time.
As Los Angeles is closer to the equator than to the north pole, daylight hours only last about 14.5 hours on the longest day of the year.
