AMHERST, Mass. (AP) - The University of Massachusetts in Amherst
is marking the summer solstice at its Sunwheel.
The Sunwheel was created in 1997. It has 8- to 10-foot tall
stones marking the cardinal directions, the solstice sunrise and
sunset directions, and the northernmost and southernmost moonrise
and moonset directions.
Thousands of people have visited the Sunwheel over the years to
learn about the annual solstices and equinoxes.
The instant of the summer solstice is 1:46 a.m. Sunday, when the
sun is farthest north in the Northern Hemisphere. The date of the
solstice is the longest day and shortest night of the year.
Astronomer Judith Young plans one-hour presentations on the
seasonal positions of the Earth, sun and moon, the building of the
stone Sunwheel and other topics.