Sky Matters: let's hope for clear skies on the summer solstice

The longest day is fast approaching and this year it occurs on Saturday, June 20th. The so-called Summer Solstice can actually take place on 20th, 21st or 22nd June, depending on the year. At the solstice the Sun rises to its highest point above the horizon in the northern hemisphere and this will happen around 13:35 in Ireland. In truth this is not very much different for a couple of weeks preceding and afterwards.