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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.AstronomyThe 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.
It starts in April because of when and how the sun's rays strike the northern part of Earth.
At noon on the equinox (both spring and autumn) the Sun "rises" to 90° minus your latitude.
liedlihqwlkhdaLDHLISHLSAD'S Equinoxes occur four times a year. The Vernal Equinox occurs in March, the Summer Solstice occurs in June, the Autumn Equinox occurs in September, and the Winter Solstice occurs in December.
For someone at the equator, during an equinox the Sun will get to the zenith.For someone at the equator, during an equinox the Sun will get to the zenith.For someone at the equator, during an equinox the Sun will get to the zenith.For someone at the equator, during an equinox the Sun will get to the zenith.
the sun is directly above the equator. The vernal equinox occurs on this day.
90 degrees above the horizon (the zenith).
Occurs when the sun is directly above Earths equator
This happens twice a year at on of the "equinox" (the spring equinox or the fall equinox) At noon if you are on the equator at thet oment the Sun is at the "Zenith".
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.AstronomyThe 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.
An Equinox is when the Sun is directly above the Earth's equator. The Vernal or Spring Equinox in 2009 will be Friday March 20 at 7:44 am EDT (11:44 am Universal Time). (Note: this is the Fall or Autumnal Equinox in the Southern Hemisphere)
At the equinox day and night are of the same length all over the world because the Sun is in the plane of the Earth's equator, and that happens on March 21 and September 22 each year. At other times the Sun is above or below the Equator, and day and night have unequal lengths.
Well, it's importance is relative. First of all, it signifies the first day of Spring in the Northern Hemisphere and the first day of Autumn in the Southern Hemisphere. Equinox means "Equal Night", in other words, both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres receive equal amounts of day time and night time on this day. Does that help?
When the day and night are equal it is called the equinox (means literately equal night). It happens twice a year. Once in the sping called the vernal equinox which occurs on the March,20 or 21 each year. Once in the autumn or fall called the autumnal equinox which happens September, 21 - 22each year.
It starts in April because of when and how the sun's rays strike the northern part of Earth.
At noon on the equinox (both spring and autumn) the Sun "rises" to 90° minus your latitude.
During Spring (Vernal Equinox) - March 20th or 21st = Equator During Fall (Fall Equinox) - September 22nd and 23rd = Equator (Yeah, the sun's rays are most direct on the equator during Spring and Fall) especially the days I mentioned above. The Equinox's