Previous Year Question

Around 21 June, the summer solstice occurs in the Northern Hemisphere. At this time, Earth’s North Pole is tilted to its maximum extent towards the Sun, and the Sun’s direct rays fall over the Tropic of Cancer. It is the longest day and the shortest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.

Option (a) is correct. The Arctic Circle is situated at approximately 66½° north latitude. On 21 June, the Sun does not pass below the horizon at the Arctic Circle, producing nearly 24 hours of daylight. North of the Arctic Circle, the Sun may remain above the horizon for several days or even months. This phenomenon is called the midnight Sun.

Option (b) is incorrect. On 21 June, the Southern Hemisphere is tilted away from the Sun. The Antarctic Circle experiences the polar-night condition, under which the Sun may not rise above the horizon. The Sun remains above the horizon at the Antarctic Circle around the December summer solstice.

Option (c) is incorrect. The Sun is vertically overhead at noon at the Equator during the equinoxes, around 21 March and 23 September. On 21 June, the Sun’s vertical rays fall over the Tropic of Cancer, not the Equator.

Option (d) is incorrect. The Sun is vertically overhead at the Tropic of Capricorn around 22 December, during the Southern Hemisphere’s summer solstice, not on 21 June.