An Equinox is a celestial phenomenon where the equatorial plane of Earth passes through the center of the Sun. Let me tell you more about an Autumnal Equinox.
An equinox always occurs two times in a year. The timing for Equinox in every year is usually 20 March and 23 September. As the name suggests, autumnal equinox is the equinox that occurs during the month of September every year.
Due to it’s time of occurrence Autumnal Equinox is also called September Equinox.
Autumnal Equinox Illustation. Image credits to timeanddate.com
The Autumnal Equinox definition can be given as the Astronomical phenomenon where the rays of Sun falls straight on the Equator of the Earth during the month of September.
September 23, 2023 (SATURDAY) at 12:19 PM (IST) in Northern Hemisphere
September Equinox - Equal day and night
Just like Equinox, Solstice occurs twice every year. The usual timing of Solstice each year is around 21 June and 22 December.
Summer Solstice Sunrise over Stonehenge (2005)
Four Seasons change during Equinox and Solstice
– In the Northern Hemisphere, the September Equinox marks the beginning of the Autumn (fall) Season. So, September Equinox is also known as Autumn Equinox or Fall Equinox.
– In the Southern Hemisphere, the March Equinox marks the beginning of the Spring (vernal) Season. So, March Equinox is also known as Spring Equinox or Vernal Equinox.
Snake of Sunlight at Chichen Itza, Mexico during Equinox
Due to such amazing art of construction, when the sunlight falls on the stairs of Chichen Itza during an Autumnal Equinox, it looks as if a giant snake is descending from top of the pyramid. This whole occurrence is world famous by the name ‘The Snake of Sunlight’ of Chichen Itza.
Don't miss to see this beautiful phenomenon of Chichen Itza Equinox in this video.
Chinese Mooncakes in Mid-autumn festival
Persephone and Hades
2. In Northern Hemisphere, the Autumn or Fall Season starts and Summer season ends during September Equinox.
3. In Southern Hemisphere, the Spring or Vernal Season starts during September Equinox.
4. Some amazing phenomena take place at specific places on the Earth. The Equinox at Chichen Itza, Mexico (which I talked about above) is an example of this.
5. The Autumnal Equinox usually occurs during 22 or 23 September. But it can also take place on 21 or 24 September.
6. The 21 September Equinox has not occurred since 1000 CE. In 21st Century, September 21 Equinox will happen in 2092 and 2096.
7. The September 24 Equinox had last happened in 1931 and next one will occur in 2303.
8. Equinox means ‘Equal night’, which has led people to misinterpretation that every place on Earth observes 12 hours of day and night.
9. On day of Equinox, most places on Earth sees more than 12 hours of daylight.
10. According to NASA, the chances of occurring Northern Lights are more during a September Equinox.
Table of Content
1 What is an Autumnal equinox?
2 What is the date and time of September Equinox 2023?
3 What is the meaning of Equinox?
4 What and When is Solstice?
5 Effects of Equinox and Solstice
6 Mythology and Naming Traditions of Equinox
7 An ancient celebration of Equinox
8 Autumnal Equinox Rituals, Customs and celebrations
9 10 Facts about September Equinox
What is an Autumnal equinox?
In simplest words, an Equinox is that day of the year when the rays of Sun fall straight on the Earth’s equator. Due to this phenomenon, the length of day and night on the Earth is almost equal during the Equinox.An equinox always occurs two times in a year. The timing for Equinox in every year is usually 20 March and 23 September. As the name suggests, autumnal equinox is the equinox that occurs during the month of September every year.
Due to it’s time of occurrence Autumnal Equinox is also called September Equinox.
The Autumnal Equinox definition can be given as the Astronomical phenomenon where the rays of Sun falls straight on the Equator of the Earth during the month of September.
What is the date and time of September Equinox 2023?
The September Equinox, also known as Autumn Equinox 2023 will occur on:September 23, 2023 (SATURDAY) at 12:19 PM (IST) in Northern Hemisphere
What is the meaning of Equinox?
The word Equinox is derived from a Latin word aequinoctium. Aequus means equal and Nox (general form noctis) means Night. So Equinox means the time of a year when the night and the day are equal.
What and When is Solstice?
Like Equinox, Solstice is also an astronomical event. During the Solstice, the day on Earth either gets the most sunlight of the year or it gets the least sunlight on any place on Earth other than the Equator.Just like Equinox, Solstice occurs twice every year. The usual timing of Solstice each year is around 21 June and 22 December.
Effects of Equinox and Solstice
The Equinoxes and Solstices combined, are directly in relation with different seasons on Earth.
Mythology and Naming Traditions of Equinox
During an Equinox, the seasons on either side of the Earth’s equator are different. In fact, there are completely opposite seasons on each hemisphere.– In the Northern Hemisphere, the September Equinox marks the beginning of the Autumn (fall) Season. So, September Equinox is also known as Autumn Equinox or Fall Equinox.
– In the Southern Hemisphere, the March Equinox marks the beginning of the Spring (vernal) Season. So, March Equinox is also known as Spring Equinox or Vernal Equinox.
An ancient celebration of Equinox
The Pyramid Chichen Itza, Mexico is a very famous pyramid. It has staircases running all the way from bottom to top on each of its four faces. The stairs of this pyramid are constructed in a very geometrical and calculated manner. Each stair is created and placed at a specific measured angle. At the very bottom of the pyramid stairs, is created a giant snake head.
Due to such amazing art of construction, when the sunlight falls on the stairs of Chichen Itza during an Autumnal Equinox, it looks as if a giant snake is descending from top of the pyramid. This whole occurrence is world famous by the name ‘The Snake of Sunlight’ of Chichen Itza.
Don't miss to see this beautiful phenomenon of Chichen Itza Equinox in this video.
Autumnal Equinox Rituals, Customs and celebrations
– Autumn in China
In China, the Moon festival also known as the Mid-Autumnal Festival is celebrated during the Fall Equinox time. It is celebrated by the abundance of the summer’s harvest. A very special food for the festival is the Mooncake. Mooncake is prepared by fillings of lotus, sesame seeds and a duck egg or dried fruits.
– Autumn in Ancient Greece
In the ancient Greek mythology, Autumn is the time when a Goddess named Persephone had gone back to the underworld in order to be with her husband, Hades.
– Equinox in Japan
In Japan, both Autumnal Equinox and Spring Equinox are observed as national holidays. During this time, Higan-e or Higan - a week of Buddhist services is observed in Japan. The word Higan, which means “other shore”, refers to the spirits of the dead attaining Nirvana - the freedom from circle of life and death. During Higan, people remember the dead by visiting, cleaning and decorating their graves.
10 Facts about September Equinox
1. September Equinox is the second equinox of the year. The first equinox occurs during 21 March also known as March Equinox.2. In Northern Hemisphere, the Autumn or Fall Season starts and Summer season ends during September Equinox.
3. In Southern Hemisphere, the Spring or Vernal Season starts during September Equinox.
4. Some amazing phenomena take place at specific places on the Earth. The Equinox at Chichen Itza, Mexico (which I talked about above) is an example of this.
5. The Autumnal Equinox usually occurs during 22 or 23 September. But it can also take place on 21 or 24 September.
6. The 21 September Equinox has not occurred since 1000 CE. In 21st Century, September 21 Equinox will happen in 2092 and 2096.
7. The September 24 Equinox had last happened in 1931 and next one will occur in 2303.
8. Equinox means ‘Equal night’, which has led people to misinterpretation that every place on Earth observes 12 hours of day and night.
9. On day of Equinox, most places on Earth sees more than 12 hours of daylight.
10. According to NASA, the chances of occurring Northern Lights are more during a September Equinox.
