Summer is here | Today's Image

The 2013 summer solstice comes this evening for western North America – during the night tonight for eastern or central North America – and tomorrow (June 21) for Europe, the Middle East, India, Asia …

The exact time of this solstice is Friday, June 21, at 5:04 UTC, or 12:04 a.m. Central Daylight Time in the U.S. Here’s how to translate to your time zone.

It’s the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and, in this hemisphere, it’s considered the beginning of summer.

Everything you need to know about the 2013 June Solstice

What to look for in the sky or on Earth at this solstice

Happy summer to all!

Eleanor Imster

Eleanor Imster has helped write and edit EarthSky since 1995. She was an integral part of the award-winning EarthSky radio series almost since it began until it ended in 2013. Today, as Lead Editor at EarthSky.org, she helps present the science and nature stories and photos you enjoy. She also serves as one of the voices of EarthSky on social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter and G+. She and her husband live in Tennessee and have two grown sons.