☀️Solstice vs Equinox⚖️
Four key dates structure the year. Solstices and equinoxes mark the turning points of Earth's seasons.
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☀️Solstice
- ✓Marks the longest or shortest day of the year
- ✓Occurs around June 21 and December 21
- ✓The Sun reaches its highest or lowest noon position
- ✓Begins astronomical summer or winter
- ✓Caused by Earth's axial tilt toward or away from the Sun
⚖️Equinox
- ✓Marks a day with nearly equal daylight and darkness
- ✓Occurs around March 20 and September 22
- ✓The Sun crosses directly above the equator
- ✓Begins astronomical spring or autumn
- ✓Daylight length is roughly the same worldwide
Verdict
Solstices are the extremes — the longest and shortest days — while equinoxes are the balance points with equal day and night. Together the four mark the start of each astronomical season.
Frequently asked
How many solstices and equinoxes are there each year?+
Two of each: a summer and winter solstice, and a spring and autumn equinox.
What causes the solstice?+
Earth's tilted axis points most toward or away from the Sun, giving the longest or shortest day.
Is day and night exactly equal at an equinox?+
Nearly, but not exactly, due to atmospheric refraction and the Sun's apparent size.
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