Sun Day: date, holiday history and traditions

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Ever since school, everyone knows that the Sun is the closest star to planet Earth, while others are millions of times further away. For example, the closest celestial object from the Alpha Centauri system to us is Proxima, but it is also at a great distance (4.22 light years).

Without the Sun, life on Earth is impossible

This statement is indisputable, because it is this largest star that radiates powerful cosmic energy, which is an indispensable source of heat and light. Without these two components, everything on Earth will perish, the flora and fauna will be on the verge of extinction. In addition, the Sun is responsible for the formation of the most important properties of the atmosphere of our planet. Roughly speaking, the ecology directly depends on this star, because without it there would not even be air, without which life on Earth is not possible. The air would turn into a liquid nitrogen ocean around frozen seas, oceans and ice-covered land.

Why is the sun so special to us?

The most important feature of it is that it was around this star that the planet on which we live appeared. We have at our disposal the sun, wind, sea waves, biomass, which is an energy raw material that constantly surrounds us and which can be used without problems. These elements are not mined by human hands from the earth, they do not provoke the formation of radioactive waste, and the release of such harmful toxic elements does not occur at all. It is a source of constantly renewable energy.

Is this not a reason to set aside one day a year to celebrate the Day of the Sun, without which we cannot live? Weeks can be set aside to praise this day!

Where did the holiday come from?

The history of the Day of the Sun holiday begins with an event that was first held in 1994 by the European Chapter of the International Solar Energy Society in order to draw the attention of others to renewable energy sources. This day is celebrated annually on May 3rd. The essence of the celebration lies in the fact that any interested people, organizations and companies throughout Europe or even around the world arrange various events, the purpose of which is to show people the possibilities of the Sun and its energy.

Initially, the holiday was truly European, but recently it has been celebrated all over the world.

What events are held on May 3rd?

Organized celebrations once again prove to everyone around that no matter what part of the solarhumanity did not consume energy, this does not violate the energy balance of the planet, does not lead to serious changes and harmful consequences. Recently, there has been a trend towards using the energy of the solar system. Every year these figures are increasing, and the use of solar power is becoming more and more popular. First of all, this fact is associated with the fact that other types of energy become more expensive and adversely affect the environment. The number of mechanisms, products and goods capable of functioning on solar batteries is only increasing. Every year the market presents us with more and more new devices. The popularity of such products is growing due to the fact that such a type of energy as solar is cheap and, most importantly, environmentally friendly, allowing you to abandon the extraction and combustion of fuel, which poisons the environment.

The mission of the Day of the Sun is to convey to every person, to spread as much information as possible about the benefits of solar energy. Entire countries are adopting experience in this area. Every year the traditions for the holiday of the Day of the Sun are updated.

Holiday traditions

Every year on May 3, on the International Day of the Sun, various organizations that are not indifferent to the problem hold many entertaining events, the purpose of which is to spread as much information as possible among a huge number of caring people. On this day, each person can participate in experiments and experiments carried out on the basis of solar energy, you can visit experimental and privatesolar and energy-efficient houses, freely visit any research and design institutes, in each of them relevant events are organized. Such open days allow even the most remote people to get acquainted with various projects and the latest scientific achievements.

In addition to research institutes, various organizations that hold exhibitions, meetings, competitions, present solar vehicles and electric vehicles open their doors. And they even arrange real races. Round tables and lectures are also held, where experts discuss technical, economic and even social aspects of solar energy consumption that are of concern to everyone. Competitions are held among children, schoolchildren prepare projects and drawings on this topic, after which the best one is selected.

In European countries, it is customary to arrange sunny weeks before and after the holiday. This is necessary so that the Day of the Sun does not go unnoticed, like a one-day holiday, but attracts as many people as possible to the problem.

The Emergence of a Holiday

After 1994, it was celebrated by 14 European countries, now this number has increased significantly, and the trend to celebrate Sun Day has spread throughout the world.

The central and only star belongs to the system of the same name. It is around it that other objects move, and everyone knows that the Earth also revolves around the Sun. In addition to the energy released, the radiation of the star takes part inphotosynthesis, affects the weather and climate, is responsible for the change of seasons. The vital activity of the organism depends on the duration of the solar day. After all, you must admit that when there is dullness and a gloomy sky outside, nothing pleases and does not bring pleasure.

An interesting fact is that the sun shines with white light. As yellow as we are used to seeing it, the light only becomes after it has traveled a long way through the Earth's atmosphere.

Other Holidays of the Sun

From the most ancient times, people worshiped this star, considering it a deity, arranged grandiose holidays on a larger scale than our Day of the Sun. Some of them have survived to this day. For example, Shrovetide, which has been celebrated in Russia since ancient times, is considered such a holiday. This list also includes the Summer Solstice and the Spring Equinox.

Ancient legends

People in ancient times praised the cult of the Sun, invented the most incredible spells, composed songs and poems, arranged grandiose games. The first worship of him is celebrated in the culture of such representatives of ancient civilizations as the Incas, Egyptians and Aztecs. Megaliths were created all over the world - monuments that marked the position of the summer solstice. The largest of them has survived to this day, and it is located in England, in Stonehenge.

The benefits of the Sun for humans

Besides physical processes, its light is good for the body. For example, it contributes to the production of vitamin D, which is essential for the excellent functioning of the body. Howeverand you should not get involved in tanning either, prolonged exposure to the hot sun harms human he alth. Large doses of ultraviolet radiation are fraught with skin cancer, sunstroke and other unpleasant misfortunes. Therefore, in the summer, when the sun is most active, it is imperative to stock up on a hat and goggles to avoid trouble.

Negative impact

As we know from the school curriculum, the adverse effects of ultraviolet rays are refracted by the ozone layer, which is in the Earth's atmosphere. However, the forecasts of scientists are not encouraging, recently the deterioration of the ecological situation on the planet leads to its thinning and the appearance of ozone holes.

Have you ever heard of magnetic storms? Now people who are subject to weather dependence should sigh sadly. Since the sun has a powerful magnetic field, its intensity rises and falls, and this provokes magnetic storms that cause deterioration of he alth and headaches.

Age of the Sun

In the course of the research, scientists have calculated that the approximate age of the star is approximately 4.5 billion years. The first to study the sun were in ancient India, and the assumption that this is the center around which other objects revolve was made by Aristarchus of Samos. The idea did not gain its popularity, and only in the 16th century was revived by the well-known Copernicus.

MeasureThe number of years of the life of the Sun star has been tried by many scientists at all times, but only modern technologies allow us to do this with maximum accuracy. Observations of it in the modern world are carried out using filming from balloons, satellites, rockets and space stations. The first such extra-atmospheric observations were made as early as 1957.

Star Sun is a safe, environmentally friendly and renewable source of energy, without which life on the planet is impossible.