The Definition for a Vernal Equinox
The vernal equinox has heralded the arrival of spring for thousands of years. It has held significance since ancient times and continues to be meaningful in the present, although in a different way. Does this Spark an idea?
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Beginning of Spring
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The vernal equinox is when the sun crosses the equator in spring. The day and night of the vernal equinox are of equal length.
Occurs in March and September
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The vernal equinox occurs around March 21 in the northern hemisphere, where Europe and the Americas are situated. In the southern hemisphere, where Australia is found, it occurs around Sept. 23.
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Other Names
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The vernal equinox is also known as the spring equinox, the March equinox and the first point of Aries.
Historical Significance
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The Sphinx of ancient Egypt, Stonehenge, and the ancient Mayan Caracol Tower and Temples of the Moon and Sun are all situated to face the vernal equinox. Historians believe that this was done because it indicated to ancient people that it was time to plant their crops.
The Vernal Equinox and Easter
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The vernal equinox also determines the date on which Easter is celebrated each year in the western world. In the west, Easter is the Sunday on or immediately after the first full moon following the vernal equinox.
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