HAPPY AUTUMNAL EQUINOX!

The equinoxes are astronomical events that occur only twice a year. The 2020 autumnal equinox takes place at exactly 9:30 AM (EDT) today (9/22); it signifies the start of a six month period of time during which the northern hemisphere receives fewer hours of sunlight than darkness. Not only do we receive less sunlight during these six months, but the strength or intensity of the light is much weaker as well. The peak of this darkness occurs on the winter solstice (12/21/2020 @ 8:30 AM) when the northern hemisphere experiences the fewest hours of sunlight hours combined with the weakest intensity of light. This six month period of darkness ends when the vernal equinox occurs (3/19/2021 @ 11:49 PM), signifying the start of a six month period during which the northern hemisphere receives more hours of sunlight than darkness and a noticeable increase in the strength of the Sun's light rays. The peak of amount of sunlight received occurs on the summer solstice (6/20/2021 @ 5:43 PM) when the northern hemisphere receives the maximum number of sunlight hours - with direct sunlight producing the strongest, most intense heat.

Some curious questions to ponder

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

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

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

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

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

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

two days of the fall and spring equinoxes?