Here's why:
* Summer Solstice: June 21st marks the summer solstice, the day with the longest period of daylight in the Northern Hemisphere. This means the sun reaches its highest point in the sky for the year.
* NYC Latitude: New York City is located at approximately 40.7 degrees North latitude.
* Solar Altitude: The maximum solar altitude (angle above the horizon) on the summer solstice can be calculated using a formula that factors in latitude and the angle of the Earth's axis (approximately 23.5 degrees). For NYC, this calculation results in a maximum solar altitude of around 72 degrees.
Therefore, on June 21st in NYC, the sun will reach a height of about 72 degrees above the horizon at its highest point.
