Muscat: The astronomical event will occur at 12:24 pm Oman time, signalling the start of summer, which will continue for approximately 93 days, 15 hours and 40 minutes.

According to Abdulaziz bin Saud Al-Naabi, Vice Chairman of the Community Outreach Committee at the Omani Society for Astronomy and Space, the summer solstice occurs when the sun’s rays fall directly on the Tropic of Cancer, making it the longest day and shortest night of the year across most regions of the Northern Hemisphere.

Al-Naabi said that in Muscat Governorate, the sun will rise at 5:20 am, reach its highest point in the sky at 12:08 pm, and set at 6:56 pm. The day will last for 13 hours, 35 minutes and 33 seconds.

He explained that the phenomenon is caused by the Earth’s axis being tilted at an angle of 23.5 degrees as it revolves around the sun, rather than the Earth’s distance from the sun. He noted that temperatures are influenced by climatic and atmospheric conditions and not by how close the Earth is to the sun.

The summer solstice also coincides with the astronomical beginning of the Dhofar Khareef season. The unique seasonal phenomenon affects the coastal areas of Dhofar Governorate, stretching from Dhalkut in the west to Mirbat in the east, driven by monsoon winds and cloud formations moving from the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean.

Al-Naabi added that the day will also witness other notable astronomical features. Regions located directly on the Tropic of Cancer will experience the sun positioned overhead at noon, causing objects to cast little to no shadow. The sun will also rise from its farthest northeastern point and set at its farthest northwestern point on the horizon.

Following the solstice, daylight hours will gradually begin to shorten as the Northern Hemisphere moves towards the autumnal equinox, which will occur on September 23.