A vernal or spring equinox occurs when the sun passes overhead at a latitude approximately equal to the equator. “Equinox” means “equal night” in Latin, referring to the fact that the day and night last approximately 12 hours each at the Equinox. The equinoxes are caused by the tilt of the Earth’s axis, which causes…
The solstices and equinoxes are determined by the Earth’s position in its orbit relative to the Sun, which is at a 23.5-degree angle to its orbital plane. Two Solstices are observed every year, Summer Solstice and Winter Solstice. Earth’s axis is an arbitrary pole that runs from “top” to “bottom” through Earth’s center; Earth spins…
Equinoxes and Solstices are two different astronomical events. The equinox is a regular astronomical event that occurs twice a year. The Earth’s orbit causes it to move around the sun, which causes it to tilt on its axis. This tilt causes our planet’s North and South Poles to face the sun at different times. During…
Autumnal or Fall Equinox is a day when the tilt of the earth’s axis causes the sun to shine directly above the equator. It usually occurs around September 23 and signals autumn’s arrival in the Northern Hemisphere. Equinox is derived from the Latin words “Equus,” meaning “equal,” and “nox,” meaning “night.” It originates from the…