September Equinox 2024: Sun Crosses Equator Today, Marking Equal Hours of Day and Night
September Equinox 2024: Sun Crosses Equator Today, Marking Equal Hours of Day and Night
On September 22, 2024, at precisely 6:13 PM IST, a significant astronomical event will occur the September equinox. This marks the moment when the Sun crosses the celestial equator, moving from the Northern Hemisphere to the Southern Hemisphere. As a result, most parts of the world, including India, will experience nearly equal durations of day and night.
The equinox is a biannual event, occurring once in March and once in September. During these times, the Sun’s rays fall directly on the Earth’s equator, creating a unique balance in daylight across the globe. This phenomenon provides a brief pause in the gradual changes in day length that typically define the seasons.
What Does the Equinox Mean for the Northern Hemisphere?
In the Northern Hemisphere, including India, the September equinox signals the arrival of autumn. With the Sun’s southward journey, days begin to grow shorter, and nights become longer, marking the onset of cooler months. In India, this event also aligns with the end of the monsoon season, heralding crisper, more pleasant weather.
Impact on the Southern Hemisphere
Meanwhile, the Southern Hemisphere experiences the opposite effect. For countries south of the equator, the September equinox marks the beginning of spring, a time when days lengthen and nights shorten. The warmer temperatures and longer daylight hours bring new energy to the region as it transitions into a season of renewal.
The Equinox: A Moment of Balance
While many perceive the equinox as the day when day and night are perfectly equal, this is not entirely accurate due to atmospheric refraction and the Sun’s apparent size. However, the event is defined by the precise moment the Sun crosses the equator, a key marker in Earth’s constant motion and the rhythm of nature’s changing seasons.
As the Sun continues its southward trek after today, it will eventually reach the Tropic of Capricorn during the December solstice. Until then, the September equinox serves as a reminder of the delicate balance and ever-changing nature of our planet’s relationship with the Sun.
