The Spring Equinox

There’s much to celebrate on the Spring Equinox, which is also referred to as the “Vernal Equinox” or the “March Equinox” and marks the official beginning of spring, a season many people associate with rejuvenation and longer hours of daylight. One unusual aspect of the equinoxes (the Autumnal Equinox in September ushers in the beginning of fall) is that these days feature the fastest sunsets and sunrises of the year. According to Earthsky.org, this phenomenon occurs because the sun rises due east and sets due west on the equinoxes, which means the setting sun hits the horizon at its steepest possible angle. That steep angle results in very short sunrises and sunsets on the equinoxes. Traditionally, we celebrate the first day of spring on March 21. Still, astronomers and calendar manufacturers alike now say that the spring season starts on March 20 in all time zones in North America.