The solar term of Xia Zhi (Summer Solstice)

Xiazhi, the 10th solar term among the 24 solar terms, marks the summer solstice. During Xiazhi, the handle of the Big Dipper points to Wu, and the sun reaches 90 degrees of celestial longitude. It falls annually between June 21st and 22nd on the Gregorian calendar. On the day of the summer solstice, the position where the sun shines directly on the Earth reaches its northernmost point, almost directly over the Tropic of Cancer. At this time, daylight hours in the northern hemisphere reach their longest of the year. For regions located on or north of the Tropic of Cancer, the summer solstice is also the day with the highest sun elevation at noon throughout the year.