Spring is almost here — officially, at least.
The vernal equinox arrives on Tuesday, marking the start of the spring season for the Northern Hemisphere.
But what does that actually mean? Here’s what to know about how we split up the year using the Earth’s orbit.
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.
The Northern Hemisphere’s spring — or vernal — equinox can land between March 19 and 21, depending on the year. Its fall – or autumnal — equinox can land between Sept. 21 and 24.
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.
During the Northern Hemisphere’s summer solstice, the upper half of the earth is tilted in toward the sun, creating the longest day and shortest night of the year. This solstice falls between June 20 and 22.
Meanwhile, at the winter solstice, the Northern Hemisphere is leaning away from the sun — leading to the shortest day and longest night of the year. The winter solstice falls between December 20 and 23.
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 Sept. 1 and winter on Dec. 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.
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The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
The Spring Equinox, also known as the vernal equinox, is a significant astronomical event that marks the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. It occurs when the sun crosses the celestial equator, resulting in equal lengths of day and night. This year, the Spring Equinox falls on March 20th.
The word equinox is derived from Latin, meaning “equal night,” and it signifies the balance between light and darkness. During the Spring Equinox, the sun rises due east and sets due west, creating a perfect alignment between the Earth’s axis and the sun’s rays. This alignment results in nearly equal amounts of daylight and darkness, with approximately 12 hours of each.
The Spring Equinox has been celebrated by various cultures and civilizations throughout history. In ancient times, it was seen as a time of renewal and rebirth, as the Earth awakens from its winter slumber and begins to bloom with new life. Many cultures held festivals and rituals to honor the changing of seasons and to welcome the return of longer days and warmer weather.
In modern times, the Spring Equinox is still celebrated in many parts of the world, albeit in different ways. Some people participate in traditional rituals or ceremonies to mark the occasion, while others simply take time to appreciate the beauty of nature and the changing of seasons.
From a scientific perspective, the Spring Equinox is an important event that helps us understand the Earth’s position in relation to the sun. It marks the point in the year when the sun is directly above the equator, resulting in nearly equal lengths of day and night across the globe.
The Spring Equinox also has practical implications for agriculture and gardening. It signals the start of the growing season, as temperatures begin to rise and plants start to bloom. Farmers and gardeners use this time to plant crops and prepare their gardens for the warmer months ahead.
Overall, the Spring Equinox is a time of transition and transformation. It reminds us of the cyclical nature of life and the constant changes that occur in the world around us. Whether you choose to celebrate it with rituals and ceremonies or simply take a moment to appreciate the beauty of nature, the Spring Equinox is a time to reflect on the significance of change and renewal in our lives.
