USA TODAY Network

The Summer Solstice has arrived, marking the start of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. It also kicks off the longest day of the year—though some might argue that visits with the in-laws, getting out of the parking lot at Dodger Stadium and Tax Day also fit that category.

What’s the solstice hoopla all about? It occurs twice a year when Earth arrives at the point in its orbit where the North Pole is at its maximum tilt— approximately 23.5 degrees—toward the Sun. That results in the longest day and shortest night of the calendar year.

And from the summer side of things, it means that the Sun has more time to shine, which creates some extraordinary sunsets.

Like these…