THE longest day for the year will be experienced on June 22, 2015 when the summer solstice begins, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa). Countries above the equator like the Philippines shall have "nights at their shortest and daytimes at their longest around the summer solstice, which falls on June 22 at 12:38 a.m. (Philippine Standard Time),” Pagasa added. A solstice (from the Latin solstitium meaning “sun stands still”) happens when the sun’s zenith reaches its furthest point from the equator. During the beginning of the summer solstice, the northern hemisphere (the half of the Earth north of the equator) will have its maximum exposure to the sun. Meanwhile, on the same day, June 22, countries in the southern hemisphere will experience the winter solstice when the night is at its longest for the year. Solstices are opposite on either side of the equator, so the summer solstice in the northern hemis...