The Sun has started to rise shortly before 5:30 a.m. and set before 6:30 p.m. in recent days, indicating that the longest day of the year is just upon us.
According to the Philippine, Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration , the longest day and shortest night of the year is due Friday, June 21, during the summer solstice.
It explained that summer solstice is the time when the Sun attains its greatest declination of +23.5 degrees and passes directly overhead at noon for all observers.
PAGASA said daytime will last for 12 hours and 59 minutes on June 21. The Sun will rise at 5:28 a.m. and will set at 6:27 p.m.
It also said the event marks the start of the apparent southward movement of the Sun in the ecliptic.
It is known to signal the start of summer season in the Northern Hemisphere.
It is also expected that daytime will be longer than nighttime in the next three months.
Summer solstice is the opposite of winter solstice when shortest day and longest night occur on Dec. 21 or 22 of every year. (Ellalyn V. Ruiz)