On 21st June, the Sun

Q: What is UPSC Prelims?

UPSC Prelims is a competitive examination conducted in India. This question is from the 2019 UPSC Prelims Geography paper.

Q: How can I prepare for UPSC Prelims Geography?

To prepare for UPSC Prelims Geography, practice previous year questions (PYQs), understand concepts thoroughly, and solve mock tests regularly. This 2019 question covers Climate Classification & Koppen System topic.

Q: What is the difficulty level of this question?

This UPSC Prelims 2019 Geography question has a medium difficulty level and is marked as an important question.

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You can find more UPSC Prelims previous year questions on AspirantMitraa. Browse by subject, topic, year, and difficulty level to practice effectively.

Question

On 21st June, the Sun

Accepted Answer

Correct Answer: A — does not set below the horizon at the Arctic CircleStep-by-step Solution:June 21 is the Summer Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere — the day when the Sun is directly overhead at the Tropic of Cancer (23.5°N). This is the longest day in the Northern Hemisphere and the shortest in the Southern Hemisphere.What happens at the Arctic Circle (66.5°N) on June 21: The Sun is above the horizon for the full 24 hours — it does not set below the horizon. All areas between the Arctic Circle (66.5°N) and the North Pole (90°N) experience continuous daylight ('Midnight Sun'). The Sun reaches its maximum elevation at noon but never goes below the horizon. This is called a 'polar day.' ✓Option B — Antarctic Circle on June 21: On June 21, the opposite is true for the Antarctic Circle (66.5°S) — the Sun does NOT rise above the horizon at the Antarctic Circle. The Southern Hemisphere experiences winter on June 21. So the Antarctic Circle experiences continuous darkness (polar night) on this date, not continuous sunlight. ✗Option C — Sun shines vertically overhead at noon on the Equator: This is incorrect. On June 21, the Sun is directly overhead (at the zenith) at the Tropic of Cancer (23.5°N), NOT the Equator. The Sun is directly overhead at the Equator only during the equinoxes (March 21 and September 23). ✗Option D — Sun shines vertically overhead at Tropic of Capricorn: This is incorrect. The Tropic of Capricorn (23.5°S) gets the Sun directly overhead on the Winter Solstice (December 22) in the Northern Hemisphere — not on June 21. ✗Key Concept: Summer Solstice (June 21): Sun directly overhead at Tropic of Cancer; Arctic Circle — continuous daylight (Midnight Sun); Antarctic Circle — continuous darkness; longest day in Northern Hemisphere; shortest day in Southern Hemisphere. Winter Solstice (December 22): Sun directly overhead at Tropic of Capricorn; Antarctic Circle — continuous daylight; Arctic Circle — continuous darkness. Equinoxes (March 21, September 23): Sun directly overhead at Equator; equal day and night globally.

On 21st June, the Sun

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On 21st June, the Sun

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