September Equinox 2019: Ahead of First Day of Fall This Year, Here Are Fast Facts About the Autumnal Equinox You Must Know

It is time to say, Hello Fall! Even though it happens every year, the air is subtle whenever the seasons change. We all can thank the autumnal equinox for the shift from sultry summer to cosy fall. The September 2019 equinox arrives on Monday, September 23. And the excitement to greet another season of this year can already be felt in the air. While most of us aware of this date, there is still more to the equinox that we do not know. Ahead of the first day of fall this year, here are some fast facts about the Autumnal Equinox you must know. First Day of Fall 2019 in September Date: What Is Fall Equinox? What Happens During the Autumn Equinox? All Your Questions Answered. 

An equinox happens when the Sun is in line with the equator. When this occurs, both the Northern and Southern hemisphere experiences an equal amount of day and night. The September equinox is known as Autumnal or Fall Equinox. Unlike New Year’s or such a global event, Equinoxes happen the same moment everywhere. According to the Universal Coordinate Time (UTC), the September 2019 equinox will occur at 7:50 am UTC.

Fast Facts of September Equinox

• As we have said already that during an equinox, day and night is equal. Well, it is not precisely the case, explains The Old Farmer’s Almanac. As per the report, the very centre of the Sun indeed set 12 hours after it rises, the day begins when the upper edge of the Sun reaches the horizon. It does not end until the entire Sun has completely set, meaning the days are still a bit longer.
• The autumnal equinox usually falls on September 22 or September 23, every year. But sometimes it goes misaligned. It takes 365.25 days for the Earth to orbit the Sun and we have a leap year every four years. Thus, the Sun’s orbit collaborates to push the equinox back a day, but not very often.
• The full moon nearest the autumnal equinox is called the “harvest moon.” During this time the moon rises earlier in the evening. Again when the harvest moon occurs in October, it is called the “full corn moon” as it coincides with the corn harvest.
• Along with the vibrant flood of fall leaves ushered in during the September equinox, the sky has its own talk. The northern lights are extra visible. NASA explains that it is an excellent time for the sky gazers who can look for auroras during the fall.
• The spring and fall equinoxes are the only two instances in the year when the Sun rises due east and sets west. Pick a landmark and enjoy the knowledge of how the Sun is constant and beautifully return to its perfect East and West on the days of equinox.

These are some of the fascinating facts that speaks so much about the astronomical occurrences. Are you excited about the first of the fall? We know we are! With the beautiful flood of fall leaves to the colourful display at the night sky, we could not ask for more.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 22, 2019 04:28 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).