What happens during the fall equinox?
* Equal day and night: On the equinox, day and night are approximately equal in length all over the world. This is because the Earth's axis is tilted at an angle of 23.5 degrees, and during the equinox, the Earth's axis is not tilted towards or away from the sun.
* Sun crosses the celestial equator: The sun appears to cross the celestial equator, an imaginary line in the sky that circles the Earth directly above the equator.
* Shift in seasons: The equinox marks the beginning of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere and the beginning of spring in the Southern Hemisphere.
When does it occur?
The fall equinox typically occurs around September 22nd or 23rd in the Northern Hemisphere. However, the exact date can vary slightly each year due to the Earth's elliptical orbit around the sun.
Significance:
The fall equinox has cultural significance in many societies, often marking the time for harvest festivals and celebrations. It's also a time of reflection and transition, as we move from the longer days of summer to the shorter days of autumn.
Other important things to know:
* The fall equinox is also known as the autumnal equinox in the Northern Hemisphere and the vernal equinox in the Southern Hemisphere.
* The opposite of the fall equinox is the spring equinox, which occurs around March 20th or 21st.
Let me know if you'd like to learn more about the fall equinox, its cultural significance, or other astronomical events!