12 things to know about the September equinox



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Here is everything you need to know about the Autumn Equinox (or the Spring Equinox for those in the Southern Hemisphere).

Well hello, fall! Even if it happens year after year, the arrival of autumn is always a little surprising. Almost like a switch, a day late in the summer, you feel it – a subtle sharpness in the air. And before you know it, it's the pumpkin, everyone. We are suddenly wrapped in sweaters and wearing boots and bombarded with oranges, often even before the thermometer warrants it. After a long hot August, it is exciting.

We can thank the autumn equinox for this sultry summer shift in the fall. And while most of us are aware of when the first day of autumn arrives on the calendar, the equinox is not just about the eye. Consider the following.

1. this year, 2018, the autumn equinox arrives precisely at 9:54 pm EDT on Saturday, September 22 . Unlike an event such as Midnight New Year that follows the time zone clock, the equinoxes occur at the same time everywhere.

2. There are two equinoxes annually, spring and fall, marking the beginning of spring and fall. They are opposed to the northern and southern hemispheres – so for those of the south, good spring!

The autumnal equinox occurs when the sun crosses the celestial equator, which is an imaginary line in the sky that corresponds to the equator of the Earth. The almanac of the former farmer describes it as a plane of the Earth's equator projected onto the sphere. Every year, this occurs on September 22, 23 or 24 in the northern hemisphere.

4. From there, the nights are longer as the days and days continue to shorten until December, when the light will begin to slowly rise towards the long summer days. The winter solstice is technically the shortest day of the year, while the summer solstice in June offers the greatest sunshine. Therefore, the four seasons, as illustrated below.

5. Because the Earth takes about 365.25 days to orbit the Sun – and we have a leap year every 4 years – the exact time of the equinoxes varies from year to year, usually six hours later. In leap years, the date goes back a whole day.

6. "Equinox" comes from the Latin words "equi" which means "equal" and "nox" which means "night". This implies that there will be equal amounts of daylight and darkness, but this is not exactly the case.

7. This year, the sun will rise at 6:43 am EDT on the equinox and will be held at 6:53 pm, which will give us 10 minutes a day during the night. Although the sun is perfectly above the equator, we mark sunrises and sunsets at the first and last minute, the tip of the disc appears. In addition, because of the atmospheric refraction, the light is curved, giving the impression that the sun is rising or going to bed earlier.

8. An exactly equal day and night will not occur until sunrise and sunset occur exactly 12 hours apart, depending on the latitude of the place; The closer we get to the equator, the closer it is to the equinox. This day is known as the equilux. ("Lux" being Latin for light, is not it pretty?)

9. For astrology, the morning of the autumnal equinox, it is when the sun comes into Virgo. According to astrologers, it's a good time for the organization and the practical side.

10. As for the other celestial orb on which we are obsessed, the full moon closest to the autumn equinox is called Harvest Moon for the brightness that allows farmers to work late. It is also called the full moon of corn (see: full moon names and their meanings). The harvest moon is usually associated with the full moon of September, but if the full moon of October gets closer to the date, she takes the title. This year, the Harvest Moon will shine on September 24th.

11. In China, the September Equinox is celebrated during the Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival. The summer harvest is celebrated and there are many festivities with moon cakes, round pastries made from bean paste and other sweet and / or salty ingredients.

12. This year at the equinox, as every year, the sun will rise precisely to the east and will pose precisely the west. Throughout the Earth, except at the north and south poles, there is a point east and west at the horizon. By observing the sun as it moves on September 22, no matter where you are, you can see where it is. Choose a landmark, make a mental note and know that as the world is changing, the sun is constant and will return to its perfect east and west at the time of the equinox.

This article has been updated for 2018.

Here is everything you need to know about the Autumn Equinox (or the Spring Equinox for those in the Southern Hemisphere).

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