科基诺，古代巨石观测站，北马其顿 Kokino, an ancient megalithic observatory, North Macedonia (© stoimilov/Shutterstock)

科基诺，古代巨石观测站，北马其顿 Kokino, an ancient megalithic observatory, North Macedonia (© stoimilov/Shutterstock)

夏天的脚步近了 Summer is approaching

科基诺，古代巨石观测站

这种现象被称为夏至，一个北半球的地球极点最偏向太阳的时刻。今天的图片展示的是科基诺巨石天文台，它是北马其顿科基诺考古遗址的一部分。据说，科基诺天文台在夏至、冬至和春分时节标记太阳的位置。天文台由两个平台组成，其上层平台上的一块石块标明了从下层平台的座位上看夏至日出的方向。因此，来到北马其顿，千万不要错过体验这一古老的天文奇观！

Summer solstice

It's that time of year again when the daylight stretches long into the evening hours. Today is the longest day of the year, known as the summer solstice, which happens when one of the Earth's poles is most inclined toward the sun. Today's image features the Kokino megalithic observatory, part of a wider archaeological site in North Macedonia. It is believed that it marked the position of the sun during summer and winter solstices, as well as the equinox, and consists of two platforms. A stone block on the upper platform of the observatory indicates the summer solstice sunrise direction when seen from a seat on the lower platform. This Bronze Age astronomical wonder sits more than 3,300 feet above sea level, on a hill overlooking the hamlet of Kokino.