What is the equinox?
Well, there are several special characteristics of that day for everyone on the Earth. First, the Sun rises due East and sets due West, and only on the Equinox is that true. Every other day of the year, the Sun rises either South of due East or North of due East, and sets either South of due West or North of due West. You thought that the Sun rises in the East every day? Not due East every day – just on the Equinox. And you thought the Sun sets in the West every day? Not due West every day – just on the Equinox. And on the Equinox, this due East rising and due West setting is best seen if you have no hills, trees, or buildings on the horizon. Second, on the Equinox the Sun is up for 12 hours and down for 12 hours. This is the basis for the term equinox in the first place, from the Latin and meaning “equal night” – however, the situation is most accurately described as equal Sun up and Sun down. Strictly speaking, this 12 hours of Sun up and 12 hours of Sun down is seen when there are n
