Autumnal Equinox: Unequal balance on the first day of autumn's arrival as explained
The fall equinox, also known as the autumnal equinox, is a significant event that marks the changing of the seasons for many cultures around the world. This year, the fall equinox will arrive at 18:19 UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) on Sunday, September 22.
For people in the Northern Hemisphere, this heralds the coming of fall, while those south of the equator prepare for the arrival of spring. The term equinox comes from the Latin word equinoxium, meaning "equality between day and night." On this day, the length of day and night is nearly equal, a result of the complex way a sunrise is measured and the refraction of sunlight in our atmosphere.
In the Northern Hemisphere, the fall equinox has historical roots in harvest festivals, such as those in Great Britain, which can be traced back to pagan times. Similarly, the Chinese and Vietnamese people celebrate the Harvest Moon, also known as the Mid-Autumn Festival, during this time.
Across the globe, there are numerous monuments and structures that have been built to mark the equinox. For instance, El Castillo, the famous pyramid at Chichén Itzá, was built by the Toltec-Maya people between 1050 and 1300 and puts on a striking show on the equinoxes, casting a shadow on the northern balustrade.
The Megalithic Temples of Malta, some of the earliest free-standing stone buildings in the world, are another example. At Hagar Qim and Mnajdra temples, the semicircular chambers are aligned so that the rising sun on an equinox is framed between the stones.
In India, Jantar Mantar, astronomical observatories from the end of the Mughal period, serve as a testament to the ancient knowledge of the movement of the sun across the sky.
Ancient ancestors had a deep understanding of the celestial bodies and used this knowledge to build monuments and temples that served as giant calendars to mark the seasons. One such example is Stonehenge in the United Kingdom, which is aligned to mark the yearly passage of the sun.
For some, the fall equinox is a time for celebration, while for others, it's a reminder of the changing seasons. Regardless of how it's marked, the fall equinox is a global phenomenon that has been celebrated and observed for thousands of years.
In Japan, Autumnal Equinox Day is a national holiday, and in some parts of Asia, the equinox will be celebrated the next day. It's a time for reflection, gratitude, and preparation for the colder months ahead.
People close to the poles, such as in Alaska, Canada, and Scandinavia, experience wild swings in the day/night ratio each year, with long, dark winters and then a summer solstice where night barely intrudes. In contrast, those close to the equator don't notice much change in day length throughout the year.
The fall equinox occurs twice a year, with the spring equinox marking the beginning of spring. The truly equal day/night split, called the equilux, depends on latitude and varies depending on location. At the equator, the equilux never arrives because of atmospheric refraction of sunlight.
As we approach the fall equinox, take a moment to appreciate the beauty of this natural phenomenon and the knowledge of our ancestors who understood the movement of the sun and built monuments to mark its passage.
Read also:
- Around a third of general practitioners (GPs) have not previously worked for the National Health Service (NHS) or have left their positions.
- Lawmakers in California pass legislation focused on climate, power grid, and utility reforms
- Nutrient-Rich Foods for Growing children: Unleashing Their Potential
- Route leading to Clara-Zetkin
