Final answer:
The northernmost location reached by the direct or vertical rays of the sun is the Tropic of Cancer, at approximately 23° north of the equator, during the summer solstice on June 21. The Arctic Circle, at 66.5° north, delineates the southernmost latitude with continuous daylight for 24 hours during the same period.
Step-by-step explanation:
Northernmost Location Reached by Direct Rays of the Sun
The northernmost location that is reached by the direct or vertical rays of the sun is known as the Tropic of Cancer. This line of latitude sits at approximately 23° north of the equator. On or around June 21, which is the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, the Sun's rays fall most directly on this latitude. At this time, the Sun can be directly overhead at noon at locations on the Tropic of Cancer. Conversely, the Arctic Circle, which lies at 66.5° north, marks the southernmost latitude where the Sun remains visible for a full 24-hour period during the summer solstice, a phenomenon also known as the "land of the midnight Sun".
During the summer solstice, all places within 23° of the North Pole experience continuous daylight for 24 hours. Thus, the Tropic of Cancer is the northernmost point where the Sun's direct rays can be observed at noon on the solstice, while the Arctic Circle outlines the extent of the midnight Sun's appearance.