What day of the year is noted for having the longest shadow at 2 PM?

The day of the year noted for having the longest shadow at 2 PM is the winter solstice. On this day, which typically occurs around December 21st in the Northern Hemisphere, the sun is at its lowest elevation in the sky at noon. This position results in the sun casting longer shadows compared to any other day of the year.

During the winter solstice, the angle of the sun is more oblique, and because of the Earth’s tilt, the sun’s rays strike the surface at a steeper angle. As a result, objects, including human figures, cast significantly longer shadows as the sun moves across the sky.

In contrast, during the summer solstice, which occurs around June 21st, the sun is at its highest point in the sky at noon. This results in shorter shadows. The equinoxes, occurring in March and September, have the sun directly over the equator, leading to roughly equal day and night lengths, and moderate shadow lengths that are not as extreme as those on the winter solstice.