Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Spring Equinox
Why in the News?
March 20 marks the arrival of the vernal equinox in the Northern Hemisphere, signaling the beginning of the spring season.
What are Equinoxes?
- An equinox occurs when the Earth’s axis is not tilted toward or away from the Sun, resulting in equal length of day and night across the planet.
- Equinoxes occur twice a year:
- Vernal Equinox: Around March 20-21, marking the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere and fall in the Southern Hemisphere.
- Autumnal Equinox: Around September 22-23, marking the beginning of fall in the Northern Hemisphere and spring in the Southern Hemisphere.
- On an equinox, the Sun is directly above the Equator, leading to almost equal distribution of sunlight between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
- The equal length of day and night is observed, with each lasting approximately 12 hours.
What are Solstices?
- A solstice occurs when the Earth’s tilt is most extreme either towards or away from the Sun. This results in the longest or shortest day of the year in each hemisphere.
- Solstices occur twice a year:
- Summer Solstice (Northern Hemisphere): Around June 20-22, marking the longest day and shortest night of the year, as the Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun.
- Winter Solstice (Northern Hemisphere): Around December 20-23, marking the shortest day and longest night of the year, as the Northern Hemisphere is tilted away from the Sun.
- Solstices create unequal distribution of sunlight, with one hemisphere receiving significantly more or less sunlight than the other.
Cultural Significance of the Equinox:
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PYQ:[UPSC 2019] On 21st June, the Sun |
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