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The word "vernal" refers to the season of spring, as the word autumnal refers to the season of autumn, or fall. The vernal equinox for one half of the Earth is the start of the Spring season, and one of two times a year when the day and night are roughly equal in length for most of the planet. At these times the Sun crosses the plane of the Earth's equator. The vernal equinox for the northern hemisphere is the March equinox (March 20). The vernal equinox for the Southern Hemisphere is either September 22 or 23, the day termed the autumnal equinox for the north.
Every year the Earth goes once around the Sun; that is, after all, the definition of a year. The Earth spins on its axis, and this axis happens to be tilted about 23.5 degrees relative to Earth's orbital plane. As a result, for half of each year, the northern hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun for the other half the Southern Hemisphere tilts toward the Sun. This causes the different seasons of the year.
When the north is tilting toward the Sun, the Northern Hemisphere experiences longer days and warmer temperatures, beginning in the spring. When the south is tilted toward the Sun, then the Southern Hemisphere generally experiences the warmer weather.
As the earth revolves around the sun there are two moments (not whole days) of the year when the Sun appears exactly above the equator. At these times neither pole tilts toward the Sun. These moments are called "equinoxes". One occurs in March as the northern hemisphere starts to tilt toward the sun. In the north, that equinox is called the "vernal" or spring equinox, the beginning of spring. The other, in September, is the autumnal equinox and is the first day of fall (autumn). In the southern hemisphere, the March equinox is autumnal, and the September equinox is vernal. Around the time of either equinox (which means "equal night") the daylight period of the day is about the same length of time as the night time period.
Astronomy
The term Vernal Equinox has another meaning in Astronomy: the point in the heavens which is the location of the Sun at the moment of the northern vernal equinox. This point is useful as an astronomical marker, but because of something called 'precession' it moves very slowly. At one time this point was called the "First Point of Aries", because it was located just over the boundary of the constellation Aries. It is no longer there.
*The actual distance from the Earth to the Sun is not the cause of the seasons. During the northern winter, the Earth is actually a little closer to the Sun than it is during the northern summer.
What else can I help you with?
What solstice or equinox signals the beginning of spring?
the vernal equinox
Why do you get headaches at the vernal equinox?
There is nothing about the vernal equinox which is an intrinsic source of headaches. I could hypothesize that there is something you do in celebration of the vernal equinox that is not good for you, or alternatively, your mere expectation of having a headache at that time of year is enough to cause a psychosomatic headache.
What are the equinox and solstice dates?
There is only two equinoxes, Autumnal equinox(fall) starts on Sept. 22 or 23, and Vernal equinox(spring) starts on March 20 or 21.
Which solstice is in may?
None. The Vernal Equinox is in March and the Summer Solstice is in June. There is no solstice or equinox in May.
What month is the spring equinox in?
The vernal equinox is in March in the northern hemisphere and in September in the southern hemisphere.
What is a sentence with the word vernal?
The same happens at the spring or vernal equinox on the 21st march.
When was the vernal equinox in the year 1878?
When will the vernal equinox be in 2010
What happens when both hemispheres receive the same amount of sunlight?
The vernal or autumnal equinox happens.
Which city is lies at the vernal equinox?
The Vernal Equinox, also known as the Spring Equinox, occurs once per year and is the kick off to the season of Spring. It is when the sun's rays are directly beaming down on the Tropic of Cancer. No city can be located on the Vernal Equinox, as it is not a place. However, a city could be placed at the Tropic of Cancer in which the Vernal Equinox happens, although no city is currently located on this line of latitude.
How many days of vernal and winter equinox is there?
There is 1 day for each equinox: the vernal equinox in spring and the winter equinox in winter.
How do use the word vernal in a sentence?
The vernal equinox marks the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere.
Which season is the vernal equinox?
The vernal equinox marks the beginning of spring, on or around March 21st.
Does it always rain on the vernal equinox?
No, it does not always rain on the vernal equinox. Weather patterns vary, and there is no direct correlation between the vernal equinox and rainy conditions.
What is the Vernal Equniox?
The Vernal Equinox marks the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere and occurs around March 20th each year. It is the point in Earth's orbit when the tilt of the Earth's axis is perpendicular to the Sun's rays, resulting in approximately equal lengths of day and night.
Why is it windy at the equinoxes?
Because that's how the weather happens to be on that particular vernal equinox. There is no correlation with wind.
In 2010 when are the vernal and autumnal equinoxes?
For a vernal equinox, it occurs is March 20th. For an autumnal equinox, it occurs September 22nd.
What is the term when the sun is directly over the equator?
It's called the Equinox, which happens biannually, one called Vernal Equinox (Spring), and one called Autumnal Equinox (Fall).
