A solstice happens twice a year when the Sun reaches its highest or lowest point in the sky at noon. This creates the longest day or the longest night of the year, depending on where you are on the planet. In June, it’s the summer solstice for the Northern Hemisphere and the winter solstice for the Southern Hemisphere. In December, those roles reverse.

This fascinating flip is caused by Earth’s axial tilt, about 23.5 degrees. As our planet orbits the Sun, different regions receive different amounts of sunlight throughout the year. When one hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun, it experiences longer days and warmer temperatures. The opposite hemisphere, tilted away, receives less sunlight and endures shorter, cooler days.

June 20 or 21

• Summer Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere (longest day of the year)

• Winter Solstice in the Southern Hemisphere (shortest day of the year)

December 21 or 22

• Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere

• Summer Solstice in the Southern Hemisphere

Solstices are not just astronomical events. They have inspired myths, celebrations, and rituals for thousands of years. From ancient stone structures like Stonehenge to Indigenous solstice festivals in the Americas and Australia, cultures across the globe have long recognized the importance of this celestial turning point.

For science lovers, the solstice is a brilliant gateway into Earth science, physics, and even a bit of astronomy. It teaches us about planetary motion, light distribution, and the beauty of natural cycles.

Want to bring the solstice to life for yourself or your children? CMY Cubes are the perfect companion for a solstice-themed STEAM activity. Here’s how you can use your cube to explore how light changes with the seasons.

1. Track the Sun’s Angle Using Shadows

Place your CMY Cube on a sunny windowsill at noon each day. Watch how the cube casts shadows differently as the solstice approaches. The change in shadow length shows the Sun’s shifting angle in the sky.

2. Explore Color Intensity With Light Position

Hold your CMY Cube under a flashlight from different angles. Light from above, behind, or to the side creates different color intensities and shadow play. This simulates how the Sun’s angle affects natural light during various times of the year.

3. Create a Light Spectrum Experiment

Using a strong light source, shine light through your CMY Cube onto a white surface. Observe how the colors overlap and change. Discuss how the Earth’s tilt doesn’t just impact daylight hours but also affects how we perceive light, warmth, and color.

4. Compare Seasonal Sunlight Indoors

If you’re in a classroom or at home, set up a side-by-side solstice experiment. Use two lamps to represent the Sun’s position during winter and summer. Place CMY Cubes under each lamp at different angles to see how the light behaves. This is an excellent activity to visualize Earth’s tilt and seasonal light differences.

5. Bonus: Time-Lapse the Daylight

On solstice day, take photos of your CMY Cube in the same location at different times—morning, noon, and late afternoon. Notice how the light changes. This builds awareness of sunlight’s role in our environment and invites simple photo documentation into your learning day.

Solstices Inspire Wonder Year-Round

The solstices remind us that we’re part of something much bigger than our daily routine. They invite us to pause and reflect on the beauty of change, light, and time. And while the science behind them is incredible, the way we experience them through play, observation, and hands-on learning makes them even more powerful.

Whether you’re celebrating the return of the sun or cozying up during winter, CMY Cubes bring the wonder of light to your fingertips. They help visualize the very principles that make the solstice special.

Solstices are the perfect reminder that learning can be seasonal, visual, and fun. CMY Cubes allow curious minds of all ages to engage with science in a way that feels creative and tactile. From understanding shadows to experimenting with color filters, our cubes make Earth science a colorful adventure.

Explore your own solstice science moment with a CMY Cube. Available in original cubes, spheres, and prism shapes, each one is designed to reflect light, inspire learning, and promote curiosity.