Equinox Answers

Why do the equinoxes and solstices occur at exact instants in time?

The solstices and equinoxes are four exact points during Earth's 365.25 day journey

around the Sun. Earth's orbital path is circular and the equinoxes and solstices occur ta what would be the 12, 3, 6, and 9 o'clock points on clock face. With an orbital speed of 65.000 mph. passing these four points certainly occur at exact instants of time.

What causes the differences in the number of daylight hours during the year?

Variation in the number of daylight hours with respect to latitude are produced by the relative tilt of Earth rotational axis as it orbits the Sun. The northern hemisphere tilts toward the Sun in the summer months and away from the Sun in the winter months. Sunlight is also stronger (more direct) in the summer and much weaker (more diffuse) in the winter.

How does the number of daylight hours vary with your location (latitude) ?

The further from the equator (or closer to the poles) the greater the extreme in daylight hours on and near the solstices. Latitude has no affect on the equinoxes!

How do changes in the amount and strength of sunlight affect our weather?

Changes in the strength and duration of sunlight produce the obvious temperature patterns that produce seasonal weather. That is warm/hot summers and cold winters.

How do the number of daylight hours change in the southern hemisphere during the year?

The southern hemisphere experiences opposite seasons because of Earth's tilt. In South America, Christmas beach holiday and June, July and August is ski season.

Do you know what all seven+ billion people on Earth share in common, only on the

two days of the fall and spring equinoxes?

We all experience the exact same amount of daylight (12 hours) and darkness (12 hours), regardless of location.