Question

UPSC Prelims 2022 Question:

In the northern hemisphere, the longest day of the year normally occurs in the

  1. 1. First half of the month of June
  2. 2. Second half of the month of June
  3. 3. First half of the month of July
  4. 4. Second half of the month of July

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 2: Second half of the month of June

Detailed Solution

Explanation: 

  • The longest day of 2021 for those living north of the Equator is June 21. In technical terms, this day is referred to as the summer solstice, the longest day of the summer season. It occurs when the sun is directly over the Tropic of Cancer, or more specifically right over 23.5-degree north latitude. This will happen around 9:02 am on Monday (Indian Standard Time).

  • During the solstice, the Earth’s axis — around which the planet spins, completing one turn each day — is tilted in a way that the North Pole is tipped towards the sun and the South Pole is away from it.

Therefore, option (2) is the correct answer.

Subject: Geography|Climate Weather and Atmosphere

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