Equinox

/ˈɛkwɪnɒks/

Meaning & Definition

noun

Either of the two points in the year when day and night are of approximately equal length, occurring around March 21 and September 23.

The spring equinox marks the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere.

The time when the sun crosses the celestial equator, making day and night approximately equal in length.

During the autumn equinox, many cultures celebrate the harvest festival.

The moment in time when the sun is directly above the equator, resulting in equal day and night lengths.

Astronomers note the equinox as an important event in the solar calendar.

From Latin 'aequinoctium', meaning 'equal night'.

vernal equinox

The spring equinox usually marking the start of spring.

autumnal equinox

The autumn equinox signaling the beginning of fall.

solstice

Either of the two times in the year when the sun reaches its highest or lowest point in the sky at noon.

latitudinal

Relating to the angular distance of a place north or south of the earth's equator.