What Are Equinoxs & Solstices?
A much-awaited event occurs every year on this month. It’s the arrival of Spring at the vernal (or spring) equinox. On that date the Sun crosses the celestial equator on its way north. And at that time there are equal amounts of day and night throughout the world (thus the term “equinox” from “equal night”). But there are actually two equinoxes. And as we will see, there are also two solstices—or the time when the Sun appears to stand still in the sky (thus the term “solstice” or “sun still”).