Equinox & Solstices

News- March 20, 2025, marks the vernal or spring equinox in the Northern Hemisphere.

About Equinox

• Equinoxes are astronomical events occurring twice a year when the Sun appears directly above the Equator at noon.It results in nearly equal day and night durations across the globe.
• They take place in March and September and are the only times when both the North and South Poles receive sunlight simultaneously.
  • Vernal or Spring Equinox: Occurs between March 19 and 21, marking the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere and autumn in the Southern Hemisphere.
  • Autumnal Equinox : Occurs between September 21 and 24, signaling autumn in the Northern Hemisphere and spring in the Southern Hemisphere.
• Earth’s position during an Equinox– On equinox days, the Earth’s axial tilt aligns in such a way that both hemispheres receive an equal amount of sunlight. On all other days, the tilt of the Earth results in uneven distribution of sunlight, affecting seasonal changes.

About Solstices

• Solstices occur when the Earth’s axial tilt is at its maximum inclination toward or away from the Sun, leading to significant differences in daylight hours.
  • Summer Solstice (Northern Hemisphere): It falls between June 20 and 22, marking the longest day and shortest night of the year as the Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun.
  • Winter Solstice (Northern Hemisphere): It falls between December 20 and 23, marking the shortest day and longest night of the year as the Northern Hemisphere is tilted away from the sun
• In the Southern Hemisphere, the solstices are reversed, meaning December experiences the summer solstice while June marks the winter solstice.