What is the Spring Equinox?
What is the Spring Equinox?
You might hear people talking about something called the ‘Spring Equinox’ which happens every March – but what exactly is it and why do we call it that? It is actually in relation to the astronomical calendar and the transitions of seasons for the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
The Spring Equinox, also known as the Vernal Equinox, takes place at 9:01am on 20th March 2025 in the UK and it marks the official end of Winter and start of Spring. You’ll likely notice longer, brighter days and (hopefully) warmer weather!
There are two Equinox events that occur throughout the year in the Northern Hemisphere; the Spring Equinox which is around the middle of March and the Autumn Equinox which is around the middle of September.
Equinox and Solstice play a vital role in regards to the Earth's orbit around the Sun and the way it tilts towards or away from the Sun. They are essentially the transitions between the seasons of the astronomical calendar based on the position of the Earth and the Sun.
These events take place between the Summer and Winter Solstices, marking the moment when the Sun crosses the equator and is positioned directly above it, balancing the Northern and Southern Hemispheres and therefore causing a day where the day and night are of equal lengths.
What does ‘Equinox’ mean?
The word ‘Equinox’ has Latin origin; during the Equinox, day and night are approximately the same length, which is reflected in the word: equi meaning "equal" and nox meaning "night."
The spring equinox signifies the start of spring, with the day growing longer than the night from that point onward. Likewise, the autumn equinox marks the beginning of autumn, as the night gradually becomes longer than the day.
Summer and Winter Solstice
You might have also heard of the Summer Solstice and Winter Solstice. The summer solstice, typically occurring around June 21 in the Northern Hemisphere, is the longest day of the year, while the winter solstice, around December 21, is the shortest.
In recent years, many people have made events out of the Summer or Winter Solstice, as beautiful views of the sun rise and sunset can be seen from high points like Stonehenge and Ben Nevis. Clear skies around these solstices also make for fascinating views for stargazers.
Equinox and Solstice around the world
Both Equinox and Solstice events occur around the world at different times depending on time zones. While the UK is in the Northern Hemisphere and will be experiencing the Spring Equinox, the Southern Hemisphere will be experiencing their Autumn Equinox simultaneously.
What can Brits expect after the Spring Equinox?
After the Spring Equinox, the Earth's tilt will cause the Northern Hemisphere to lean more towards the sun. This means we can all look forward to longer days and shorter nights until the Summer Solstice in June, where the length of our days will peak, and gradually get shorter again.
Information source: https://weather.metoffice.gov.uk/learn-about/weather/seasons/equinox-and-solstice
Pictures: https://www.freepik.com/photos/
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