Equinoxes and Solstices

An Overview

Equinoxes and solstices are astronomical events that mark specific points in the Earth's orbit around the Sun. They occur twice a year, with equinoxes happening in March and September, and solstices in June and December.

Equinoxes

An equinox occurs when the Sun is directly above the Earth's equator. This means that the day and night are of approximately equal length everywhere on Earth. The spring equinox occurs around March 21 and the autumn equinox around September 23.

Solstices

A solstice occurs when the Sun is at its highest or lowest point in the sky relative to the Earth's axis. The summer solstice, which occurs around June 21 or 22, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. The winter solstice, which occurs around December 21 or 22, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.

Earth's Tilt and Orbit

Equinoxes and solstices are a result of two things: the Earth's tilt and its orbit around the Sun.

The Earth's axis is tilted away from the Sun's axis by approximately 23.5 degrees. This tilt causes the Sun to appear to move north and south of the Earth's equator throughout the year.

The Earth's orbit around the Sun is not a perfect circle but an ellipse. This means that the Earth's distance from the Sun varies throughout the year. The Earth is closest to the Sun during the winter solstice and farthest from the Sun during the summer solstice.

Conclusion

Equinoxes and solstices are important astronomical events that mark the changing seasons. They have been observed by humans for centuries and have been used to create calendars and rituals.