Autumn Equinox
Posted: 22 Sep 2016 11:11
Be prepared for shorter days and colder weather...
Meteorological Autumn started earlier this month, but the days will only start
to get shorter after the Equinox happens today, Thursday 22nd September.
Equinox comes from the Latin words 'aequus' and 'nox', which together translates
to "equal night" Two equinoxes happen per year, one marking the start of the spring and one at the
beginning of the Autumn season.
It signifies the time when the sun's rays are centred on the equator.
During an Equinox the sun crosses the celestial equator, and so our day will have
equal amounts of daylight and darkness.
The sun will rise at 7:30 am and set at 7:30 pm.
The Equinox also marks the start of 'Aurora Season' in the northern hemisphere, when
it becomes possible, or easier to see Aurora Borealis in the higher latitudes with longer
nights.
As we approach December, the Northern Hemisphere will tilt away from the sub and
receive its rays at a steeper angle, creating longer shadows and cooler wintery weather
conditions.
Eventually the sun will reach its lowest point in the midday sky, marking December solstice.
Meteorological Autumn started earlier this month, but the days will only start
to get shorter after the Equinox happens today, Thursday 22nd September.
Equinox comes from the Latin words 'aequus' and 'nox', which together translates
to "equal night" Two equinoxes happen per year, one marking the start of the spring and one at the
beginning of the Autumn season.
It signifies the time when the sun's rays are centred on the equator.
During an Equinox the sun crosses the celestial equator, and so our day will have
equal amounts of daylight and darkness.
The sun will rise at 7:30 am and set at 7:30 pm.
The Equinox also marks the start of 'Aurora Season' in the northern hemisphere, when
it becomes possible, or easier to see Aurora Borealis in the higher latitudes with longer
nights.
As we approach December, the Northern Hemisphere will tilt away from the sub and
receive its rays at a steeper angle, creating longer shadows and cooler wintery weather
conditions.
Eventually the sun will reach its lowest point in the midday sky, marking December solstice.