Astronomy Israel: Today is the Summer Solstice

Friday, June 21, 2013

Today is the Summer Solstice

The Summer Solstice occurred today, June 21, 2013, at 8:04am Israeli Local Time. It is the longest day of the year. At the Tropic of Cancer the sun stands overhead at noon; it is Midsummer Night's Eve. At Stonehenge, the sun rose above the Heel Stone this morning. According to Professor Steve Rosen of Ben Gurion University, there is an ancient Stonehenge-like structure in Machtesh Ramon (Ramon Crater). He is giving a tour of it this evening at 6:15pm, starting at Be'erot Campground on the way to Ein Saharonim. Unfortunately, I will not be able to make it since it is Erev Shabbat. This evening calls for a reading of Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream". Better still, go find a live performance and watch it.

The sun rises over the Heel Stone at Stonehenge on the Summer Solstice.

And now, a few memorable lines from "A Midsummer Night's Dream" which always remind me of this night.

I know a bank where the wild thyme blows,

Where oxlips and the nodding violet grows,

Quite overcanopied with luscious woodbine,

With sweet musk roses and with eglantine.

There sleeps Titania sometime of the night,

Lulled in these flowers with dances and delight.

And there the snake throws her enameled skin,

Weed wide enough to wrap a fairy in.