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Did you know that the word “solstice” comes from the Latin word “sostitium” which means “the sun stops”? This is referring to what happens during two times of the year indicating the end and beginning of a season. Keep reading and learn more about the 2023 Summer Solstice at Chichen Itza.
Solstices are a natural phenomenon that occurs twice a year when, as the Earth orbits the Sun, with a 23.5° inclination, it gives us the beginning of Summer or Winter (depending on which hemisphere you are in).
As one of the 7 Wonders of the World, Chichen Itza is one of the best places to experience the Winter Solstice. What happens during the Solstice is, when the sun shines at a specific time, the northern and western faces of the Pyramid of Kukulkan remain in dark shadows, while the southern and eastern sides get the beams of the sun.
This summer the Solstice will take place on a Wednesday, June 21st, around 3 and 4 pm. This will represent the longest day and the shortest night of the year.
One must not confuse the Solstice with an Equinox. During the Equinox, the Sun sits right in the middle of Ecuador, making the sunlight shine equally on both hemispheres. On the contrary, during the Solstice, the Sun sits on the Tropic of Capricorn, shining into one hemisphere more than the other. Also, days and nights last the same during the season of the Equinox (spring and fall), while during the Solstice (summer and winter), days and nights last different hours giving more or less daylight.
This phenomenon will take place in the most ancient pre-Columbian cities of Mexico and especially in Chichen Itza, an archaeoastronomical marvel will be observed, where the position of the planet Sun makes two sides of "El Castillo" (the most important building of this important Mayan city) to be illuminated and two others completely in shadow.
On this 21st day, when the sun is at its closest point to the north, the light will bisect perfectly on one illuminated side and one dark side of this ancient building, which is undoubtedly a spectacle worth admiring.
In addition, there comes a moment when the Sun sets just at the height of the north and east side of that great pyramid, which is also a moment that has its spectacularity.
You can see the Summer Solstice by booking a Chichen Itza Tour.
Easy, the solstice represents the beginning of summer and winter, during the summer we have the day of the year with the longest period of daylight, while the winter solstice is the day with the shortest period of daylight.
The equinox means that the Sun is perfectly above the Equator, which is equal in length to day and night. This is technically an equinox and marks the start of the new season.