The spring equinox takes place in the northern hemisphere each year on or near March 20, when Sun crosses directly over the Earth's celestial equator. It corresponds with the date of the autumn equinox in the southern hemisphere. Conversely, the spring equinox takes for the southern hemisphere takes place on the date of the northern hemisphere's autumn equinox.World of Astronomy: Vernal Equinox
Background
The event, also called the vernal equinox, marks the first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere and the beginning of autumn for the Southern Hemisphere. The spring equinox is significant in religion, astronomy and astrology. It also marks the modern celebration of Earth Day. There is a myth that during the spring equinox, an egg can be balanced on-end. Although the day marks the first day of Spring in astronomy, the first day of Spring is considered March 1 for some scientists, including many meteorologists and climatologists.
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References
Fast Facts
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Also known as the vernal equinox
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Always between March 19 and 21
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Exact time of the 2009 equinox is 11
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Day and night have equal length during this event MSN Encarta: Vernal Equinox
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Sun rises due east, sets due west
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Greek mathematician, Hipparchus, credited with discovery of equinoxesTime and Date: The March Equinox Explained
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Persian calendar starts the new year on the spring equinoxTime and Date: The March Equinox Explained
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Egyptian Sphinx points directly at the rising sun on the date of the spring equinoxInfoplease.com: Vernal (Spring) Equinox
