Spring is almost here — officially, at least.
What You Need To Know
- The spring equinox is at 11:06 p.m. on Tuesday, March 19
- Earth’s axis lines up with the sun so both hemispheres get an equal amount of sunlight
- Astronomical seasons differ from meteorological seasons
What is the equinox?
As the Earth travels around the sun, it does so at an angle. For most of the year, the Earth’s axis is tilted either toward or away from the sun. That means the sun’s warmth and light fall unequally on the northern and southern halves of the planet. During the equinox, the Earth’s axis and its orbit line up so that both hemispheres get an equal amount of sunlight.
The word equinox comes from two Latin words meaning equal and night. That’s because on the equinox, day and night last almost the same amount of time — though one may get a few extra minutes, depending on where you are on the planet.
What is the solstice?
The solstices mark the times during the year when the Earth is at its most extreme tilt toward or away from the sun. This means the hemispheres are getting very different amounts of sunlight — and days and nights are at their most unequal.
What’s the difference between meteorological and astronomical seasons?
These are just two different ways to carve up the year. Meteorological seasons are defined by the weather. They break down the year into three-month seasons based on annual temperature cycles. By that calendar, spring starts on March 1, summer on June 1, fall on September 1, and winter on December 1.
Astronomical seasons depend on how the Earth moves around the sun. Equinoxes mark the start of spring and autumn. Solstices kick off summer and winter.
Conclusion
The vernal equinox marks the start of spring in the Northern Hemisphere, and it’s a time to look forward to longer days and warmer weather. Whether you’re a fan of spring or not, it’s an important milestone in the Earth’s orbit around the sun.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the spring equinox?
A: The spring equinox is the point on the Earth’s orbit when the axis lines up with the sun, resulting in equal amounts of sunlight for both hemispheres.
Q: What is the difference between equinoxes and solstices?
A: Equinoxes mark the start of spring and autumn, while solstices mark the start of summer and winter.
Q: How do meteorological seasons differ from astronomical seasons?
A: Meteorological seasons are defined by temperature cycles, while astronomical seasons are based on the Earth’s orbit around the sun.
