It may not look like it outside, but today marks the summer solstice - the longest day of the year so far.
In the northern hemisphere the solstice means the days will begin to get shorter from today, although many of us in Manchester may feel they have not seen much sunlight.
The solstice is also a time of celebration for pagans at the Stonehenge.
This year is a special summer solstice as it coincides with the strawberry moon - a once in a lifetime occurrence.
Here is everything you need to know about the summer solstice 2016.
What is the summer solstice?
The summer solstice is understood to mark the middle of summer - although here in Manchester it may seem like we have not had the first half yet.
It occurs when the tilt of the Earth’s axis is most inclined towards the sun, meaning we will get around 17 hours of daylight.
In the winter solstice, we’re tilted furthest away from the sun, hence shorter hours of daylight and the shortest day.
The word solstice is derived from the Latin words sol (sun) and sistere (to stand still).
When is it?
The summer solstice usually falls between June 20 and 22. This year it is on Monday, June 20.
In winter the shortest day of the year occurs between December 20 and 22, with it falling on December 21 this year.
Near Stonehenge in Salisbury, sunrise will be at 04:52 and sunset will occur at 21:26.
In Manchester the sun rose at 4.40am and is due to set at 9.42pm.
Why do pagans head to Stonehenge?
Thousands of people visit Stonehenge as the solstice is rooted in pagan times, when Midsummer Day was considered to have power.
Many of the people attending will be druids, but the day also attracts tourists.
The way that the stones are positioned is said to be aligned with sunrises on the two annual solstices.
How else do people celebrate it?
There are celebrations throughout the world to mark the summer solstice.
Estonia has Jaanipäev or St John’s Day, which marks a change in the farming year.
Wianki happens in Poland, with roots in a pagan religious event, and Kupala Night happens in Russia and Ukraine, where people jump over the flames of bonfires in a ritual test of bravery and faith.
However, in Manchester many mark the day by spending as much time as possible in a pub beer garden.
What is the strawberry full moon?
This year the summer solstice coincides with the full moon, which hits its peak on the same day.
This has not happened until 1948.
The June full moon was known to early Native American tribes as the “Strawberry Moon”, because it marked the beginning of the strawberry season, and served as a signal to start gathering ripening fruit.
